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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924092469638
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
RELATING TO THE
American Colonial Church.
EDITED BY
WILLIAM STEVENS PERRY, D.D.
Volume IV. — MARYLAND
PRINTED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS.
MDCCCLXXVIII.
E,V,
Two Hundred and Fifty Copies Printed.
No.
INTRODUCTION,
The pressure of other duties, incident upon a change of life and residence,
has hindered the appearance of this volume ; while the partial destruction by
fire of both the MSS. and the printed sheets, together with the copies of
previous volumes still on hand, have proved a serious loss to the editor, as well
as a reason for furthur delay. As has been said again and again with refer-
ence to these volumes of historical papers, the aim of the editor has been
simply to reproduce the copies of the original MSS. as he has them in his
hands. In few instances the original MSS. or duplicates are. in his posses-
sion. But for the bulk of the documents here reproduced in print only
transcripts taken under the direction of the late Rev. Dr. Hawks exist. The
original MSS. have been destroyed, and without the opportunity of correction
by the originals themselves it would be unwise to hazard the correction of
even evident errors of the copyists, lest in so doing a tampering with histori-
cal documents should be the result.
Less need exists for annotations to these papers, in view of the important
services in the elucidation of the history of the Church in Maryland rendered
by the Rev. Dr. Ethan Allen, whose life-long labors have secured for this
Diocese abundant material, both in MSS. and in print, for the student of its
history — material which will year by year be more highly valued, and all of
which should be placed beyond the possibility of destruction.
IV
It is through the labors of such devoted and capable students of the local
history of our Dioceses that the work of the future historian of the Church in
America will be rendered comparatively easy. It is therefore in grateful
recognition of the services to the Church at large, as well as the Church in
Maryland, rendered by the Rev. Dr. Ethan Allen, that this volume of Mary-
land Papers is inscribed by his friend and brother,
THE EDITOR.
Bishop's House, Davenport, Iowa,
St. Mark's Day, 1878.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGES
1694. Letter to the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bishop of Lincoln, i, 2
Lambeth MSS. {No. 953).
May 22, 1695. To the Archbishop of Canterbury, . . . . . 2, 3
Lambeth MSS. {No. 942).
May 17, 169?. Papers relating to the Case of the People called Quakers, . . 4-8
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
May 18, 1696. The Maryland Clergy to the Lord Bishop of London, . . 8-13
Ibid.
169?. Account of the Several Parishes within the Province of Maryland, with the
Names of the Vestrymen and Number of Tytheables, . . . 13-20
Ibid.
i.(><)1. Return of Romish Priests and Lay. Brothers resident in Maryland, with List
of Churches, Chapels, and Places of Worship, together with returns of
Quakers and other Dissenters, ...... 20-23
Ibid
1697. An Account of Glebe Lands within the Province of Maryland, . . 23, 24
Ibid.
March 29, 1698. A Proclamation by his Excellency the Captain General, . . 24, 25
Ibid.
May 26, 1698. Gov. Francis Nicholson to the Archbishop of Canterbury (extract), 26
Ibid.
1699. Copy of the Address of the Council and Burgesses of Maryland to the King
about the Act for Religion, &c., ...... 26-28
From a Contemporary Copy.
November 30, 1699. Minute of the King's Disapprobation and Disallowance" of the
Acts of 1696 and 1699 for the Establishment of Religion, ... 29
Ibid.
April 10, 1700. Gov. Nathaniel Blakiston to the Archbishop of Canterbury, . 30, 31
Fulham MSS. {unbound').
May 28, 1700. Gov. Blakiston to the Archbishop, ..... 32
Ibid.
VI
1 700. The Present State of the Protestant Religion in Maryland,
Lambeth MSS. {No. 11 23).
1 700. A Memorial representing the Present State of the Church in Maryland,
From the original MSS.
January 11, 1700. Mr. McTrevor's opinion respecting the Act of the General
Assembly of Maryland, April 26, 1 700, . . . . .
From the MSS. of the Venerable Society.
1700. An Act for the Service of Almighty God, and Establishment of Religion in
this Province according to the Church of England, .
From a Contemporary Copy.
Observations upon the Maryland Act for the Service of Almighty God, &c.,
From the original MS.
1702. Rev. Dr. Thomas Bray's Memorial, .....
Fulham MSS. {unbound')
March 20, 17O4. Letter from the Rev. Henry Nichols to the Rev. Philip Stubs,
MSS. of the Ven. Society, Letter Book {Vol. i)
March 24, 1703. The Rev. Dr. Bray to the Secretary, ...
Ibid {Vol. .2)
1705. A Memorial giving a true and just account of the Affair of the Commissary
of Maryland with respect to which tiie new Governor, Coll. Seymour, has
made so great Complaint of 111 usage by me (Rev. Dr. Thomas Bray),
Fulham MSS. {unbound)
July 2, 1711. The Rev. Alex. Adams to the Bishop of London (extract).
Letter Book of the Ven. Society { Vol. 6)
July 2, 1711. The same to the Secretary, .....
Ibid.
171 2. The Case of Sir Thomas Laurence, Bart., Secretary of Her Majesty's Province
of Maryland, .......
MSS. of the Ven. Society.
January 19, 17I5. The Rev. Samuel Skippon to the Lord Bishop of London,
Fulham MSS. (unbound)
June 24, 1 7 14. Queries by the Governor to the Clergy of Maryland,
Ibid.
1 7 14. The Humble Representation of the Clergy of Maryland concerning the State
of the Church in answer to certain Questions proposed by the Governor to
them, .........
Ibid.
July 10, 1 714. Gov. Hart to the Lord Bishop of London, ....
Ibid.
Sept. I, 1715. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Lord Bishop of London, .
Ibid.
Sept. 6, 1715. Gov. Hart to the Lord Bishop of London, ....
Ibid.
PAGES
32-34
34-40
40, 41
41-48
49. 5°
51. 52
53. 54
55. 56
57-63
63
64
64-72
72, 73
74, 75
75-77
77-79
79, 80
80-82
Vll
April I, 1715. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Secretary (extract),
Letter Book of the Ven. Society {Vol. 10)
August 6, 1 715. The Secretary of the Ven. Society to Governor Hart,
Ibid.
1 715. Petition of the Parishioners of North Elk River for a Minister,
Fulham MSS. (unbound^)
Oct. 8, 1716. The Rev, Jonathan White to the Bishop of London, .
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Oct. 10, 1716. The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, ,
July 3, 1 71 7. The same to the same, .....
October 7, 171 7. The Bishop of London to the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson,
October 25, 171 7. The Clergy of Maryland to the Bishop of London,
Ibid.
December 4, 1717. The Rev. Commissary Henderson's Visitation; to which is
appended Articles of Enquiry according to the Rubricks of the Book of
Common Prayer and other Ecclesiastical Laws now in force, and the Church-
warden's Oath, ........
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
82, 83
84
84, 8s
8s, 86
86, 87
87, 88
88, 89
89-91
March 23, 1718. Lord Baltimore to the Bishop of London's Commissaries,
April IS, 1718. The Bishop of London to the Rev. Mr. Henderson,
April 16, 1718. The Bishop of London to Governor Hart, .
April 2S, 1 7 18. Governor Hart's Speeches to the Clergy, and their Address,
May 8, 1718. Clergy to the Bishop of London, . . . .
May 26, 1718. The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson to the Bishop of London,
June 17, 1718; The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Bishop of London,
June 17, 1 7 18. The same to the Rev. Dr. Francis Astry (extract), .
August 2S, 1 718. The Bishop of London to Commissary Wilkinson,
September 4, 1718. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Bishop of London,
September 9, 1718. The Bishop of London to Rev. Mr, Henderson,
92-99
99
100, lOI.
lOI
102-105
los, 106
106-109
109-112
112, 113
113, "4
114, 115
115-116
VUl
Aueust I i7iq Vestrymen of All Hallows Parish, Somerset County, to the Bishop
r T J . . . • "6. 117
of London, ..••••■
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
May 18, 1720. Rev. Christopher Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, . .117,118
May 20, 1720. Mr. Commissary Henderson to the Clergy of Maryland, . .118,119
May 20, 1720. The Clergy of Maryland to Mr. Commissary Henderson, . .119,120
Ibid.
May 20, 1720. Mr. Commissary Henderson to the Clergy of Maryland,
June 25, 1720. Mr. President Brook to Mr. Commissary Henderson,
June 29, 1720. The Clergy of Maryland to Mr. President Brook, .
. 120, 121
Ibid.
. 121, 122
Ibid.
122
Ibid.
June 29, 1720. Clergy of the Western Shore to Lord Baltimore. . . • 122, 123
Ibid.
July 16, 1720. Rev. Mr. Henderson to the Bishop of London, . . • 123, 124
Ibid.
July 18, 1720. Governor Brooke to the Bishop of London, .... 125
Ibid.
July 19, 1721. Rev. Peter Tustian to the Secretary of the Ven. Society (extract), . 125, 126
Ibid.
May 30, 1722. Articles of Enquiry exhibited to the Churchwardens at the Visitation
held May 30, 1722, in St. Peter's Church, Talbot County, . . .126, 127
Ibid.
172^.* Character of the Clergy in Maryland, ..... 128, 129
Ibid.
1723. The Names of the Clergy and of their respective Parishes on the Western
Shore of Maryland, . . . . . . . 13°
Ibid.
1724. Queries: Answers to the Queries. Extract out of the Laws of such as relate
to the Church, Clergy, and Schools. Charter of Maryland, . . 131-187
From Copies prepared for, and attested by, the Rev. Commissary
Henderson, for transmission to the Bishop of London.
April 15, 1724. Govern' Calvert's Letter to the Commissary, . . . 188
From Commissary Henderson' s Copy.
May 27, 1724. Letter of the Clergy to the Commissary, .... 188, 189
Ibid.
* This list must have been made near the end of the year 1722 or the beginning of 1723. — E. A.
IX
May 29, 1724. Queries to be answered by every Minister:
Fulham MSS. (unbound^
St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore Co., Rev. William Tibbs, . . 190-192
King and Queen Parish, Saint Mary and Charles Co., Rev. John
Donaldson, . . 192, 193
St. Ann's Parish, Annapolis, Rev. Samuel Skippon, . 193-195
Christ Church Parish, Calvert Co., Rev. Jonathan Cay, . . 195, 196
All Faith Parish, St. Mary's & Charles Co., upon Patuxent
River, Rev. Robert Scot, . . . 197, 198
William and Mary Parish, Rev. Leigh Massey, . . 199, 200
St. Paul's Parish, Prince George's Co., Rev. Giles Rainsford, . 200-202
All Saints' Parish, Calvert Co., Rev. James Williamson, 202, 203
St. James's Parish, Ann Arundel Co., Rev. Peter Tustian, . 204, 205
King George's Parish, Prince George's Co., on Potomack River,
Rev. J. Fraser, . ..... 205-207
St. Barnabas, in Queen Ann Parish, Prince George's Co., Rev.
Jacob Henderson, ...... 208, 209
Port Tobacco and Durham, Charles Co., Rev. William Maconchie, 209-21 1
Stepney Parish, Somerset Co., Rev. Alex. Adams, . 211-213
Christ Church Parish, on Kent Island, Rev. Thomas Phillips, 213-215
St. Paul's, Queen Ann's Co., Rev. Christopher Wilkinson, 215-217
Great Choptank Parish, Dorchester Co., Rev. Thomas Howell, . 217-220
Coventry Parish, Somerset Co., Rev. James Robertson, . 220, 221
St. Paul's, Kent Co., Rev. Alex'' Williamson, . . . 222, 223
St. Peter's Parish, Talbott Co., Rev. Daniel Maynadier, . . 223-225
Shrewsbury Parish, Kent Co., Rev. Richard Sewell, , . 225, 226
St. Michael's Parish, Talbott Co., Rev. Henry Nicols, . . 226-229
Dorchester Parish, Dorchester Co., Rev. Thomas Thomson, . 229, 231
1724. Queries to be answered by the Commissaries, ..... 231, 232
Ibid
April 10, 1724. Letter from the Rev. Giles Rainsford to (extract), . 233, 234
Ibid.
May 29, 1724. The Clergy of the Western Shore to the Lord Bishop of London, . 234, 235
Ibid.
June 30, 1724. Rev. John Urmston to the Secretary, .... 236-238
Ibid.
July 16, 1724. The Clergy of the Eastern Shore to the Lord Bishop of London, . 238-241
Ibid.
August 16, 1724. The Rev. Giles Rainsford to the Secretary, .... 241, 242
Ibid.
August 16, 1724. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Bishop of London . . 242, 243
Ibid.
X
PACKS
September 9, 1724. The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, . 244-246
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
Nov 20, 1724. The same to the same, • 246, 247
Ibid.
1724 Petition of the Clergy, and Message of the Lower House of Assembly, . 247-249
Ibid.
Tune 22, 1725. Governor Calvert to the Bishop of London, . 249, 250
Ibid.
July 6, 1725. Rev. Mr. Humphreys to the Secretary, . .... 250, 251
Letter Book of the Venerable Society {Vol. 19).
July 22, 1725. Rev Mr. Rainsford to the Lord Bishop of London, . 251, 252
Fulham MSS. {unbound^.
August 9, 1725. Mr. Thomas Bordley to the Secretary, . . . 253, 254
MSS. of the Venerable Society.
June 15, 1726. Rev. Mr. Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, . . 254, 255
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
July I, 1726. Governor Calvert to the Bishop of London, .... 255, 257
Ibid.
July, 1726. The Vestry of Kent Island to the Bishop of London, . . 256-258
Ibid.
Aug I, 1726. The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, . . 258, 259
Ibid.
Dec. 4, 1727. The same to same, .... . 259, 260
Ibid.
July 4, 1728. The Rev. John Eversfield to the Bishop of London, 261, 262
Ibia.
November 24, 1728. The Clergy of Maryland to the Society, . . 262-264
Letter Book of the Ven. Society { Vol. 21).
November 24, 1728. The Clergy, &c., to the Bishop of London, . 264-267
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
November 28, 1728. Petition of the Clergy, &c., to the King, . . . 267, 268
Ibid.
December 10, 1728. The Rev. Mr. Wilkinson to the Bishop of London, . 269
Ibid
May 4, 1729. Rev. Mr. Humphreys to the Secretary, . . . . 270
Letter Book of the Ven. Society {Vol. 22).
1729. An Act passed in Maryland for reducing the Quantity of Tobacco formerly
made there, ......... 270-280
Ibid.
September 18, 1729. The Rev. Mr. Henderson to the Society, . . . 280, 281
Ibid.
Nov. 21, 1729. The same to the same, . . , 281-282-
Ibid.
XI
PAGES
January 30, 17^. Lord Baltimore's Letter to the Clergy, .... 282
Fidham MSS. (unbound).
May 22, 1730. Statements of the Rev. Thomas Fletcher and the Rev. James
Robertson, .... ... 283
Ibid.
May 21, 1730. Case of the Clergy respecting the Tobacco Act of 1730, . . 284-287
Ibid.
Jmie 24, 1730. Visitation of the Clergy of the Eastern Shore, . . 288-296
Ibid.
July 15, 1730. Visitation of the Clergy of the Western Shore, . . 297-299
Ibid.
July 16, 1730. Address of the Clergy to the Lord Bishop of London, . 299-300
Ibid.
August 12, 1730. Rev. Mr. Commissary Henderson to the Bishop of London, . 300-301
Ibid.
October 27, 1730. The Rev. Mr. Henderson to the Secretary (extract), . . 301, 302
Letter Book of the Ven. Society (Vol. 23).
March 13, 1731, 2. The same to the Bishop of London, . . . 302, 303
Fulhatn MSS. (unbound).
June 16, 1731. Proceedings at the Commissary's Visitation at Oxford, on the Eastern
Shore, . . . . 3o3-3°5
Ibid.
July 21, 1 731. A Visitation at Annapolis, on the Western Shore of Maryland, . 306, 307
Ibid.
Aug. 7, 1 73 1. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Lord Bishop of London, . 308, 309
From the original MS.
Sept. 10, 1731. Churchwardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's to Mr. Com'' Henderson, 309, 310
Ibid.
October n, 1731. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Lord Bishop of London, . 310, 311
Fulham MSS. (unbound).
October 29, 1731. The Rev. Commissary Henderson's letter to the Bishop of London, 311
Ibid.
June 5, 1733. The same to the same, .
Sept. 27, 1733. The Rev. Arthur Holt to the Bishop of London,
May 20, 1734. The same to the same.
May 21, 1734. The same to Mr. Samuel Smith,
May 23, 1735. The same to the Bishop of London,
312.
313
Ibid.
314,
31S
Ibid.
3i5>
316
Ibid.
Ibid.
316
-318
318,
319
Ibid.
Xll
June 5, 17-39. The Parishioners and Vestrymen of St. Stephen's, in Cecil County,
to the Secretary, . . . 320, 321
From MSS. of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Fordgn Parts. Letter Book {,Vol. 2), "Bearcroft."
July 30, 1739. The Rev. Hugh Jones to the Secretary, 321, 322
Letter Book {Vol. 2), "Bearcrofi"
Oct. 19, 1741. The same to the Lord Bishop of London, . . 323, 324
Fulham MSS. (jinbotind ).
Aug. 4, 1750. The Rev. Thomas Bacon to the Secretary. . . 324-326
Letter Book {Vol. 11), "Bear croft."
^ct. 5, 1751. The Rev. Alex' Adams to the Lord Bishop of London, . . 326, 327
Fulham MSS. {unbound^.
Sept. 29, 1752. The same to the same, ..... 327-329
Ibid.
October 18, 1752. The same to the same, . 329
Ibid.
1752. The Clergy to the Lord Bishop of London, ' . 330
Ibid
Aug. 27, 1753. The Rev. Messrs. Jones and Addison to the Lord Bishop of London, 331, 332
Ibid.
October 29, 1766. The Rev. Henry Addison to the Lord Bishop of London, 332-334
Ibid.
Oct. 21, 1767. The Rev. Dr. Thos. Bradbury Chandler to the Bishop of London, . 334, 335
Fulham MSS.
1767. List of the Parishes in Maryland and their annual value as returned in the
year 1767, .... .... 336, 337
Ibid.
September 20, 1768. The Rev. Hugh Neill to the Lord Bishop of London, . . 337, 338
Ibid.
1769. Case of the Maryland Clergy (anonymous), . . 3,0^ ,40
Ibid.
September 20, 1769. The Rev Thomas J. Claggett to the Lord Bishop of London
(extract), ... . 340, 341
Ibid.
October 24, 1769. The Rev. Henry Addison to the Lord Bishop of London,
Fulhai7i MSS. {unbound).
July 18, 1 771. The Rev. Hugh Neill to the Rev. Dr. Burton, Secretary,
From MSS. of the Ven. Society.
1775. Estimate of the Incomes of the Church Livings in Maryland, 343, 344
Fulham MSS. {unbound).
1775. List of Clergy and Livings in Maryland, 1775, . . 345-347
Ibid.
341
342, 343
PAPERS RELATING
TO THE
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
IN MARYLAND.
hetter to the Right Reverend Father in God, THOMAS,
Lord Bishop of Lincoln.
Maryland, Octob. I8'^ 1694.
May it please your Lordship,
Under so glorious a Raign, wherein, by God's Providence, His true Relig-
ion has been so miraculously preserved, should we not endeavour to promote
it we should hardly deserve the Names of good Protestants or good Subjects,
especially considering how noble an Example is sett before us by their Ma'^^'
Royal foundation now vigorously carryed on in Virginia. We have therefore
in Assembly attempted to make Learning an handmaid to Devotion, and
founded ffree schools in Maryland to attend on their Colledge in that Colony.
We only begg their Ma'^*' confirmation of an Act we have proposed for their
Establishment, and of your Lord'p a share of that assistance and care you
1695.] 2
have taken in promoting so great and so good a design as that of the
CoUedge ; so charitable a founder of a School in oposition to that Shop of
poisoning principles set open in the Savoy, We are confident will favour our
like pious designes in this Province — wherein instructing our youth in the
orthodox, preserving them from the infection of Heterodox Tenets, and fit-
ting them for the service of Church & State, in this uncultivated part of the
world, are our chiefest ayme and end. For an Ace* of the particulars of our
Intent we refer your Lord'p to their Ma'^^' Secretary of this Colony, and we
begg leave to subscribe ourselves. Your Lord^'^
Most dutifull Sons and obedient humble Serv*^
THOMAS LAURENCE, Secretary,
[ffr. Nicholson.] in behalf of the Council.
ROB'T SMITH, Speaker,
on behalfe of the House of Burgesses.
To the Archbishop of Canterbury.
From the Port of Annapolis in Maryland,
May the 22^ 1695.
May it please your Grace,
We, your most humble Suppliants, his Ma'^'^ Councill and the Delegates
of the several Countys in this His Ma*'''^ Province now Sitting in a Generall
Assembly, and unanimously concurring with his Ex^ Francis Nicholson, EsqS
Governor in chief, in his pious & zealous endeavours for establishing Religion
& the publique worship of God among us, according to the Doctrine and
discipline of the Church of England, have in pursuance to an Act passed in
a former Assembly, entituled an Act for the Service of Almighty God and the
establishment of the Protestant Religion in this Province, and according to
his Ex'=y'= proposals to us, agreed to an Act this present Assembly, entituled
An Additional Act to the Act of Religion.
We therefore most humbly entreat your Grace to peruse the said Acts
and others, and (if your Grace shall approve of them) that you would be
3 [1695.
pleased to get his Ma'^'^ Royal Assent to them, in order to their passing the
Great Seale, that they may be made perpetuall, his Ex''^ (according to his
wonted generosity) having been pleased to proffer to pay the ffees for so
doing.
But if your Grace shall find them any way deficient, We humbly desire
your Grace would be pleased to signify to us what in your great wisdome you
shall thinke fitt to have inserted or altered in them, to which we shall most
readily agree, not doubting his Ex'^^'^ assent to the same.
And when we shall returne them to your Grace, with such Alterations, we
hope your Grace will be pleased to get them pass the Great Seale.
We did, in the last Assembly, by the truely worthy S'' Thomas Laurence,
their Ma'^^' Secretary of this Province, desire your Grace's assistance in
behalfe of a Free School which we designed to found, and now we presume
to intreat your Grace to take upon you the patronage of the same.
This is to be presented to your Grace by the said S'' Thomas Laurence
and M"'. William Frisby, a very worthy Member of our House of Burgesses.
We shall not be further troublesome to your Grace than humbly to begg
your Grace's blessing, and to pray to God that your Grace may long preside
in the Chaire to His honor and glory and good of the Church of England.
We are Your Grace's
Most dutiful Sons & most humble Serv'^
HENRY JOWLES, Gustos Sigill.,
on behalfe of y' Ma'^'^ Hon'ble Councill.
\Postscript^
May it please your Grace,
By virtue of the particular and imediate obligation we lye under to my
Lord Bishop of London as our Diocesan, We thought we were in duty
bound to acquaint his Lord'p with the substance of what we have troubled
your Grace with in this Letter.
ROBERT SMITH, Speaker,
on behalfe of the House of Burgesses.
r695.J 4
The Case of the People called fakers.
Presented to THOMAS NICHOLSON, Governor of the Province of Mary-
land, and his Council, and to the Assembly of the Delegates now Sitting.
A Petition and Address of the people called Quakers in Maryland to the
Governor and his Council, and to the Assembly of the Delegates. Also
an humble Expostulation.
It hath been sufficiently known that we have been a suffering people, both
in our persons and estates, ever since the Lord was pleased to raise us up to
be a people, and particularly in discharge of their consciences to God, in
refusing of all Oaths whatsoever, which command of Christ we dare not dis-
obey, for which cause we are many ways laid open to our enemys as a spoil,
both in our persons and estates, nor is our suffering like to terminate in our
persons, but extends to the ruin of our Wives and innocent Children.
For, i^'. If any of us be called to answer to any Bill framed against us in
Chancery, allthough in obedience to the Summons we do appear, and are
ready to give our testimony according to the truth of the Case and best of our
knowledge, yet because we cannot take the formal Oath, an Attachment is
granted forth against such of us concerned; and because we cannot yet
answer according to form, a Writ of Rebellion comes forth against such,
whereby both persons, estate, wife, and children may be brought to ruin,
2ndiy When any of us do die intestate, as sometimes it happens, our wives,
who, for conscience sake, can not swear, are therefore put by the Administra-
tion of their deceased Husband's estate, and a stranger perhaps suffered to
administer, to the great injury of the Widow and Orphans.
3"*'5'. If any of us (as oft it happens) be nominated executors in trust or by
right of law and equity ought to have administered as being greatest Creditor,
yet forasmuch as we cannot swear, we are therefore put by and made in-
capable either to serve our deceased friend, or to get our just debt, which have
been of very evil consequences to many.
4'"^, We are made answerable to our neighbours in divers respects, for if
we are called to bear witness to the truth of controversys, which often happens
5 [i695-
amongst Neighbours, and because we can not take an Oath, our neighbours'
just Case suffers.
5*'y. If any of us are inclined to use the way of merchandize, either for
ourselves or as factors for others, yet divers of us, seeing the great inconveni-
ences that may fall because we cannot swear, have therefore in great part
forborn that way of trading, which might not only have been beneficial to
themselves, but advantageous to the province, for if a person die in either of
our debts, his executors or administrators perhaps put us to prove the debt,
which, if it is 'p ace', we cannot do, and if it be "^ Bill or Bond, perhaps we are
put to swear that we never received any part or parcel, which we can not do,
although we know in our consciences we have not, and although the honest
judge may be persuaded that we are wronged, yet knows not how to right us.
6thiy_ ■\^Q ^j.g jjj many cases answerable to the King and the Government,
for although we are a considerable Member of this province, and in many
respects might be serviceable both to the King and Inhabitants, according as
our capacities might be thought fit, yet because we cannot swear, we are there-
fore made almost as a useless member, and not capable to be helpful and an
use to our neighbours, nor pay our services due to the King. And if any of
us should happen to hear any seditious words, or know of any private inten-
tion to Rebellion against the King or Government, or for any felonious Act
committed, yet may we not, without great danger to ourselves, discover these
things, because we cannot give such formal testimony as the law requires;
the partys perhaps may by law be cleared of the fact only for want of such
formal testimonys, and then bring their Action against us as Slanderers.
These things we do in humble manner lay before you, desiring that our
suffering Case may be taken into your most serious consideration, and that a
law may be made in this province, whereby we may be eased of the mischiefs
which we suffer upon the Account of Oaths, and that our solemn attestation
or denial may be taken instead of an Oath, and that in case any pretending
tenderness of conscience in the case of Oaths, shall be found to falsify their
solemn attestation, that then they suffer the pains and penalties of perjury.
The next thing we have at this time to lay before you, is the suffering we are
under by reason of a late Act which enjoyns to pay a certain tax towards the
building of Churches (so called) and maintaining of those called Ministers,
which for pure confidence to God we can not do, but must for ever bear our
testimony against all such as preach for hire, knowing that the Ministers of
v,_
1695.] 6
Christ never preached any such thing ; by reason of which we suffer and our
goods are seized and taken from us, that otherwise would be for the support
of our families ; this in humility we find ourselves concerned to lay before
you, and desire that we may be eased in the matter, and the oppression
removed, which otherwise may prove to be the ruin of some poor families
amongst us, who cannot for conscience sake pay the s*^ tax, although they were
to suffer the spoiling of all the goods they have, and imprisonment of their
persons until death.
AN HUMBLE EXPOSTULATION.
The Case on our part is hard, that in the Province of Pensilvania and
several other American plantations our friends do enjoy the liberty, rights,
and privileges of free born English subjects without swearing ; and that we
their so near neighbours must be in a kind of Slavery by being debarred from
those rights and privileges, which our very birthright may lawfully claim.
For we are the King's good subjects. Englishmen free born, and never yet
forfeited our birthrights by any plots, conspiracies or rebellion against
Government or Governors, we are of peaceable behaviour amongst our
neighbours, and seek the good of all men, and for conscience sake we pay
taxes and tribute to the King and those that rule over us. And it cannot be
denyed but that the province of Maryland has given as large promises of
liberty to tender consciences as Pensylvania or any American Plantation ever
did, and it is sufficiently known that many have transported themselves and
familys, expecting to enjoy the liberty of their consciences without being de-
barred of their English rights and privileges, and chiefly by means and
industry of those Dissenters from the Church of England hath this provision
been brought to yield the income to the Crown of England which at this day
it doth, and that at last these very persons or their succeeding Children should
not be held worthy to enjoy privilege equal with their fellow subjects, let
reason and equity judge whether it be not a grievance fit to be complained of.
It having been often affirmed by some called wise men that no Govern-
ment could possibly subsist without swearing, and when the Province of Pen-
sylvania'began at first to be settled under the Government of William Pen,
great was the expectation of many how it could be possible that that
Government could be upheld without Oaths, and the eyes of thousands were
7 II69^
upon those poor Quakers, to see what would be the issue of their solemn
testimony instead of an Oath. But now time, which manifests things, lets all
see that in Pensylvania, with their dispensation of Oaths, that province hath
not come short of most of these American Plantations, either in a judicial way
of Government, or in industry for the propagation of the plan, and increase of
trade and commerce, which is worthy to be noted.
But above all, it seems hard on us that since we are the King's good sub-
jects, and may, by our English birthright, expect the privileges of Englishmen
in all respects, and since we are under the Government and protection of the
same Prince with other neighbours of Pensylvania and other American Plan-
tations, that yet we must not enjoy the same English rights and liberties which
they do, let it be judged in the collapse of equity whether we have not cause
to complain.
And because we will not be over large in our humble expostulation, we
will conclude and shall readily submit in all things to you, whose conscience to
God doth not demand the contrary, and that warranted by the Scriptures of
truth, and whatever laws you make or continue to which we cannot for con-
science sake yield active obedience, our pure righteous principles bind us to
yield all passive subjection thereunto. And if we suffer, we shall be innocent
in the sight of God, and have a testimony of our integrity in the hearts of
honest men.
Thus we have been concerned and constrained, not only to manifest some
part of our sufferings unto you by way of address, but also by an humble
expostulation given you in short our sense of the hard measure we have
meted unto us, and in submissive manner lay before you, desiring your ever-
lasting well being, and that that Christian Rule of doing unto all Men as you
would be done unto, may be your measure in all things.
By his Excellency the Governor & Council in Assembly.
May the 1 7th, 1 69^.
This petition is referred to the House of Burgesses.
Signed f Order,
HEN. DENTON, Clerk Council.
I69M 8
By The House of Burgesses.
May 19th, 169*.
As to the first part of this Petition, viz., the dispensing with the taking of
Oaths, it is the Opinion of this House that it is expressly contrary to the
known laws of the Kingdom of England, and therefore not fit to be dispensed
with. And as to the other part of the Petition relating to the 40"". of Tobacco
^ Poll, this House will not make any distinction, but continue your Petitioners
under the same circumstances with all other their Majesties' good subjects of
this province as to the payment thereof.
Signed f Order,
W. BLADEN, Clerk Assembly.
TAe Maryland Clergy to the Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, Port Annapolis,
May 18*, 1696.
May it please your Lordship,
We, your Lordship's most dutiful inferior Clergy of the Church of England
living in His Majesty's Province of Maryland, being removed at so great a
distance from your Lordship's personal inspection and care over us, that we
are debarred the privilege of making our frequent applications to your Lord-
ship for advice and instructions in the managing ourselves in our Cures where
Providence hath placed us, do humbly presume to trouble your Lordship with
an account of our present state, in relation to the following particulars, which
we do, with all deference to your Lordship's great judgment, here lay before
you.
When His Excellency, Governor Nicholson, came into the Country in the
year 1694, there were but 3 Clergymen in Episcopal Orders, besides 5 or 6
popish priests, who had perverted divers idle people from the Protestant
Religion. There was also a sort of wandering pretenders to preaching that
came from New England and other places ; which deluded not only the Prot-
estant Dissenters from our Church but many of the Churchmen themselves,
9 [1696.
by their extemporary prayers and preachments, for which they were admitted
by the people and got money of them.
The 3 Episcopal Clergymen, having made a hard shift to live here some
time after they came hither, did afterwards marry and maintain their families
out of the plantations they had with their cures.
And tho' the better and most responsible persons of the neighbouring
Plantations that owned themselves to be of the Communion of the Church of
England subscribed their names to some small Contributions for their officiat-
ing amongst them, that those Clergymen could not get the half and sometimes
not the fourth part of their subscriptions, notwithstanding they endeavoured to
acquit themselves to the best of their powers, in a constant and conscientious
discharge of their ministerial function.
His Excellency, upon his arrival with several of us that waited on him to his
Government in Maryland, continued those 3 Clergymen in their places where
he found them. And he having (as we are bound in confidence to God, and
must in honour to his Excellency's name confess), with all possible care and
expedition erected Churches in most parishes proportionable to the quantity
of those sums of Tobacco that were in arrears in the Sheriffs' or Vestrymen's
hands ever since the Act for 40""^ Tobacco '^ poll made in Governor Copley's
days, placed us in the best vacancies (as he hath since done by others coming
with your Lordship's permit) that were most convenient for the more general
serving of the Country. And that your Lordship may have a just apprehen-
sion of the said annual Incomes by virtue of the Act for 40 ^ poll, we have
made bold to trouble your Lordship with the enclosed Paper concerning
them.
Tobacco being the one and only staple commodity of the Country, is that
out of which our small incomes are paid, the manner of which is thus: Every
planter, for himself and his male children and White Servant-Man, as also for
his Negro Slaves (both male and female), after their age of 16 years, is
assessed 40^'' Tobacco '^ poll, demandable in the Winter Quarter upon execu-
tion by the Sheriff; 5"' in the hundred being deducted for his trouble in col-
lecting it, and 1,000"', by a late Act of Assembly, being also deducted towards
the maintenance of a Parish and Vestry Clerk, which was not provided for in
the Act made for the support of a regular Clergy, in Governor Copley's time ;
but some of us are forced to give 2,000"' to the Clerks by reason of their
going so far to do their Dutys on the Lord's Day.
1696.]
lO
The tobacco which is raised by the PubHc levy of the 40^'' f poll for secular
offices and other charges of the Country, is generally freighted by the English
Merchants, being not reckoned (when received) to be worth above one fourth
part of that (quantity for quantity) which the Planters cure (as they term it) or
manage for their own freight and Sale ; the reason for which the Public To-
bacco is generally freighted is that the Planters cull the best of their Crop for
their own freighting, or selling it for Goods or Bills of Exchange ; and kept
the refuse and discoloured Tobacco to pay the Sheriffs for their taxes and
Duty.
The Merchants are not for meddling with this Tobacco, not only because
it is much worse than the other, but because it is generally very troublesome
for them to get it paid in any reasonable time, and that often they cannot get
it at all, wholly losing their time and labour in going from place to place
to demand it of those Planters to whom the Sheriffs send them.
That it is a great and inevitable damage, and forebodes a total disappoint-
ment of such as have their dependence on the public pay of the Country.
The extent of our Parish is generally very large, some of them being about
20 from 30 miles in length ; by reason of the Inhabitants of this Country hav-
ing (many of them) vast tracts of land, live at least a mile asunder from their
next neighbours. This large extent of Parishes obligeth us to keep one, or
sometimes two horses to ride on. The charges of our Board and keeping our
horses take up one fourth of our greatest Incomes, and the remaining 3 parts
(considering the rate we pay for English Goods in the stores, and that the
Merchants will allow us in goods at prime cost, very rarely a penny and
sometimes but an halfpenny or a farthing a Pound for our Tobacco in barter-
ing with them) will hardly find us with Clothes and other necessaries. If we
have any overplus when our necessaries and conveniences are served, it's
hazardous for us to freight it, lest it should prove a drug in the English or
Holland Markets, and by paying from 10 sometimes to ^16 Sterling per Ton
for freight, besides the King's Custom, &c., it should bring us in debt.
So that should some of us that have wives in England send for them,
and go to house keeping, we could not tell how to maintain them here, not
yet being provided any Minister's House and Glebe, except at St. Mary's,
where one M^ Nobbs lately arrived, and having a wife, is by his Excellency
placed.
But notwithstanding that small provision which is made for your Lordship's
I J [1696.
Clergy, and the precarlousness and great uncertainty of the tenure of what we
have, the Papists and Quakers (of both which there are some of the richest
men in the province) are much dissatisfied.
And we have lately received very certain advice from London that those of
our Quakers that went for England in the last Maryland and Virginia fleet
have petitioned the Lords of the Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantations
to have the 40^'' per Poll taken off as a burden upon their estates and (as we
suppose they might pretend) upon their consciences too.
Should they obtain their petitions only for themselves, the incomes of some
of the best Parishes, in respect of the Tobacco raised by the 40"^ '^ poll,
would be so impaired that there would not be left a tolerable subsistence for
a single Clergyman and his horse, and one horse, at least, we must all of us,
of necessity, keep ready by us, not only to ride to Church on Sundays, but to
ride all over our Parishes to Christenings, Weddings, visiting the sick, and
burials on the week days, when or wherever we are sent for.
Could the Quakers clear themselves of the 40''' "^ poll, the Papists might
all pretend to do so too, because they have Priests of their own to provide
for; and could both these parties effect their designs, the Clergy and Church
of England would be left in a very naked and poor condition here, besides
that we might expect many that have their religion still to choose, would turn
either Papists or Quakers, and refuse to pay too, for many of them look upon
the Sacraments as needless impositions, and go neither to the Papists' Mass
nor the Quakers' meetings, and seldom or ever to Church.
Now we become most humble petitioners to your Lordship, that if there
should be occasion (as we have reason to fear there is) your Lordship would
be pleased to espouse our Cause, and intercede with I-fis Most Gracious
Majesty that we may not be wholly discouraged from staying in these parts of
the English Empire, and preaching the Gospel here, as well as the Papists and
Presbyterians and Quakers do after their manner, and our just hopes, and that
we shall not be thought much worse by great good and wise persons, for the
Quakers' insinuations against us behind our backs, which we doubt not have
been as maliciously as cunningly contrived.
We hope your Lordship will be likewise pleased upon occasion to make
such further intercession for us with His Majesty as that we may not be pre-
judged before we have each to answer for ourselves, both against Papists and
Quakers, either by writing or by proxies, when we shall know the particulars
1696.J 12
of their pretended advances, and what may be falsely said against us by those
two inveterate enemies to the Church of England.
May it please your Lordship, as far removed as the Quakers and Papists
seem to be in their different sentiments about religion, they are jointly bent
against our Church, and daily endeavour to draw people to their parties, by
suggesting to them that Lord Baltimore will govern here again ; than which
nothing can be more pleasing news to libertines and loose persons, who can
seldom or never be gotten to come to Church at all. And should my Lord
rule as formerly, the insolence of the Romish Priests (who are somewhat
curbed by his Excellency's great care and vigilance) would soon be intolerable
in these parts, that are so remote from England.
Besides there being great numbers of Irish Papists brought continually
into this province, and many Irish Priests being suspected to be coming incog,
amongst us (as having no better place of refuge in the King's Dominions)
upon their being banished from Ireland, there is great reason to fear there will
be as much discouragement and danger coming upon all his Majesty's good
Protestant subjects here as upon the English Clergy,
This expectation of the Lord Baltimore's being restored to the Govern-
ment of Maryland animates the Priests and Jesuits to begin already to inveigle
several ignorant people to turn to their religion. To which end they do (con-
trary to the Act of Parliament to deter them from perverting any of His
Majesty's Protestant subjects to popery) introduce themselves into the Com-
pany of the sick, when they have no Ministers, that his Excellency hath
been lately forced to issue out his proclamation against their so doing, to
restrain them.
And now, may it please your Lordship, we, your Lordship's most dutiful
Clergy, do humbly represent unto your Lordship the great and urgent
necessity of an Ecclesiastical rule here, invested with such ample power and
authority from your Lordship as may capacitate him to redress what is amiss,
and to supply what is wanting in the Church.
We further humbly represent unto your Lordship that we conceive this to
be the very crisis of time wherein (with the help of Divine Providence) to lay
a firm foundation in this Country (which is yet in its infancy as to Church
matters) for the establishment of the Church of England, before we be over-
run with enthusiasm, idolatry, and atheism, which are already too rife and pre-
vailing amongst us.
13 [1696.
We most humbly beg your Lordship's pardon for our great presumption
in troubhng your Lordbhip with this long letter, and we hope ere long we
shall be happy with the presence of The Reverend D''. Bray, your Lordship's
designed Commissary. In the mean time, we beg leave to make this thankful
acknowledgment of your Lordship's care in providing such a worthy and
deserving person to preside in the Church in Maryland.
And that Almighty God would please to bless your Lordship with long
and happy days amongst the Clergy at home, and that you may endeavour to
reap the comfort of the great and pious designs, in propagating and establish-
ing the Church of England in the English Empire in America, is the hearty
and humble prayer of
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most dutiful Sons,
And most obliged
Humble Servants,
Peregine Corry, Ben. Nobbs,
John Lillingston, George Tubman,
Richard Sewell, Hugh Jones,
Stephen Bordley, Tho. Cockshott.
Maryland Port, May the l8'^ 1696.
Maryland, ss.
An account of the several Parishes within this Province (according as they
were by Act laid out), together with the bounds of the same, the names of the
Vestrymen and number of tytheables within such Parish, viz':
St Mary's County is divided into two Parishes between Newtown Hundred
and Clement's Hundred by M'. Langworth's branch, which leads to Petuxant
main road, and the said branch divides the said Hundreds and Parishes here-
after named, that is to say, the Lower, called by the name of William and
Mary Parish, and the Upper, called by the name of King and Queen Parish.
1696.] 1 4
Vestrymen for William and Mary Parish chosen, viz* :
M''. Kenelm Cheseldyn, M''. John Watson,
Major John Campbell, M^ John Llewellin, • Taxables, 532.
M--. Robert Mason, M^ Tho= Beal.
Vestrymen for King and Queen Parish chosen, viz' :
CoP Nehemiah Blackston, Capt° John Dent,
Capt° John Good, M^ Philips Brisco, Taxables, 473.
M^ Rich'* Clouds, M'. John Bartcroft.
Calvert County is divided into four Parishes, viz': Christ Church, All
Saints', St. Paul's, and All Faiths'.
Christ Church Parish consists of the following Hundreds, viz': Hunting
Creek, Leonard's Creek, Olton Head, and Lower Hundred of the Clifts.
Vestrymen for the s** Parish chosen, viz' :
M^ Richard Smith, M^ Francis Mauldin,
Capt° Tho^ Clegat, M'. John Manning, Taxables, 537.
M^ Henry Fexnleys, M"'. Samuel Holdsworth.
All Saints' Parish consists of these two following Hundreds, viz' : Lyons
Creek and the Upper Hundred of the Clifts.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M^ Walter Smith, M"". John Acot,
M^ W" Nicholls, M^ John Leech, Jun^ Taxables, 507.
M^ W° Turner, M^ John Hance.
Saint Paul's Parish consists of the following bounds, viz' : from the upper
part of Mount Calvert Hundred to the main branch of Swanson's Creek.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M^ Thomas Brown, M--. Richard Charleton,
M^ Thomas Grossfield, M^ W" Barton, Taxables, 500.
M'. Thomas Hollyday, M'. Sam' Magruthen.
All Faiths' Parish consists of the following bounds, viz' : from the main
branch of Swanson's Creek to the lower part of Harvy Hundred.
15
Vestrymen for the s'^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M'. James Keech, M''. John Gillam,
M^ John Smith, M^ Charles Askue,
M^ Rich'' Southern, Capt" Rich'' Gardner.
[1696.
Taxables, 278.
Charles County is divided into four Parishes, viz': William & Mary,
Portobacco, Narjemy, and Piscattoway, the bounds whereof being artificial
& somewhat long, have omitted to insert them here.
Vestrymen for W" & Mary Parish chosen, viz' :
CoP John Courts, M'. Henry Hardy,
M'. Robert Yates, M^ John Wilson, Taxables, 258.
M^ W" Hawton, M^ Wm. Harbert.
Vestrymen for Portobacco Parish chosen, viz' :
M^ Henry Hawkins, M'. Keyborne Lomax,
M^ W" Barton, M^ John Hawkins,
M^ Philip Hopkins, M"". John Harrison.
Vestrymen for Narjemy Parish chosen, viz' :
M^ John Stone, M'. W" Stone,
M"". John Manning, M'. Rich"* Harrison,
M^ W° Dent, M'. Gerard Fowkes.
Vestrymen for Piscattoway Parish chosen, viz' :
John Addison, Esq'^ M"^. W" Garneyhill,
M"". W" Hatton, M^ John Emmett,
M^ W"" Hutchison, M"^. James Stoddart.
Taxables, 298.
Taxables, 175.
Taxables,
Arrundell County is divided into four Parishes, viz' : Herring Creek, South
River, Middle Neck, and Broad Neck.
Herring Creek Parish- consists of Herring Creek Hundred and the major
part of West River Hundred.
1696.]
i6
Vestrymen for the s'^ Parish chosen, viz' :
Thomas Tench, Esq", Capt° Rob' Lockwood,
M^ Seth Briggs, M^ James Rigby, Taxables, 507.
Capt° W" Holland, M'. Nich^ Jerret.
South River Parish consists of South River Hundred and a small part of
West River Hundred.
Vestrymen for the s* Parish chosen, viz' :
Capt° Henry Hanslop, M'. Edw^ Burgess,
M'. John Grosham, M^ Walter Phelps, Taxables, 460..
M^ W" Roper, M''. John Watkins.
Middle Neck Parish is situated betwixt South River and Severn River.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M'. Thomas Bland, M'. Jacob Harness,
M^ Richard Wharfield, M^ W^ Brown, Taxables, 374.
M"". Lawrence Draper, M'. Cornelius Howard.
Broad Neck Parish is situated on the north side of Swansea River,
including Town Neck and Broad Neck Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M'. John Bennet, M"'. George Eager,
M^ W" Hopkins, M^ Hugh Merriman, Taxables, 223.
M^ Robert Eagle, M^ Edw-^ Fulton.
Baltimore County. The Division of the Parishes and Bounds thereof
have not as yet been returned by the Clerk of the said County, but do find
by the returns of the several Vestrymen that the said County is divided into
three Parishes, viz': Patapsco Cats, St. Paul's, St. John's Parish, and St.
George's Parish,
Vestrymen for Patapsco Cats, St. Paul's Parish, as by return, viz' :
M^ John Terr>^ M^ Rich'* Samson,
M^ W" Wilkinson, M'. John Hays, Taxables, 218.
M'. Rich" M^ Nich= Corban.
1 7 [1696.
Vestrymen for St. John's Parish, as by return, viz' :
M^ Thomas Stayley, M''. Sam' Ticklemore,
Capt° Tho" Preston, M^ Daniel Scot, Taxables, 12F.
M". Richard Adams, M^ Abraham Taylor.
Vestrymen for St. George's Parish, as by return, viz' :
]y[r ^m Hollace, M^ George Smith,
M'. Lawrence Taylor, M'. Roger Mathews, Taxables, 137.
M"'. John Packer, M^ Thomas Cordea.
Cecil County is divided into two Parishes, viz' : South Sassafras and North
Sassafras.
The bounds of South Sassafras consist of these following Hundreds, viz' :
Worton and South Sassafras Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s** Parish, as by return, viz' :
Col' W-" Pierce, M^ W" Elms,
M''. W"" Harris, M"". George Stourton, Taxables, 350.
M'. Edward Blay, M^ Edw^ Skidmor.
North Sassafras Parish consists of Bohemia and Elk Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s'' Parish, as by return, viz' :
Col' C^-^ Henner, M^ Hen^ Rigg,
Major John Thompson, M'. Matth^ Van Deusen, Taxables, 321.
M"^. W"" Ward, ,M'. Henry Jones.
Kent County is divided into two Parishes, viz': Kent Island and Saint
Paul's Parish. Kent Island Parish is bounded naturally within itself.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M--. John Coppage, M^ Alex' Walker,
Col' W" Lawrence, M''. Edw^ James, Taxables, 146.
M^ Philip Conner, M^ Valentine Southern.
1696.] 1 8
St. Paul's Parish consists of the rest of the County.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz* :
M"". W*° Frisby, M'. Charles Gilden,
M^ Michael Miller, M'. Thomas Smith, Taxables, 534.
M'. Hans Hanson, M^ Seymour Wilmore.
Talbot County is divided into three Parishes, viz' : St. Paul's, St. Peter's,
and St. Michael's Parish.
St. Paul's Parish begins at the head of Chester River and extends to the
Court-house, and from the Court-house along the north side of Brown's
Branch to the head of the said Branch, and from thence to Judwin's Branch,
being the north part of Tuckahoe.
Vestrymen for the s"* Parish chosen, viz* :
Major WZ Finney, M'. Nathaniel Wright,
M"-. W° Cowley, M'. Robert Macklin, Taxables, 606.
M'. John Whittington, M". John Chairs.
St. Peter's Parish begins at John Judwin's Branch, and extends to Oxford
Town.
Vestrymen for the s"^ Parish chosen, viz' :
M--. Tho^ Robins, M'. Nich= Lowe,
M"'. Tho= Bowdle, M^ Sam^ Abbott, Sen', Taxables, 453.
M"". George Robins, M'. Thomas Martin.
St. Michael's Parish consists of Mill and Bray Hundreds, and part of
Island Hundred, that is to say, from the Court-house downward.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish chosen, viz' :
Capt° John Davies, M'. Michael Gurbret,
Capt" James Murphy, M'. Hugh Sherwood, Taxables, 485.
M"". Tho' Smithson, M'. John Power.
Dorchester County is divided into two Parishes, viz': Great Choptank
and Dorchester Parish, The bounds whereof being artificial and somewhat
19
[1696.
long, I have not here inserted, but are entered among the Council proceed-
ings had and taken in Sir Edmund Andros's time, being then returned, but
no account of the Vestrymen was therein, yet do find by a return of the
Vestry of Great Choptank Parish these following persons Vestrymen, viz' :
Phil. Hill, John Pierson,
Obadiah King, ' Fra. Hayward, Taxables, 407.
Edw"* Stephens, John Locompt.
Vestrymen for Dorchester Parish, as by return :
M^ Arthur Wheadey, M^ Thomas Vicars,
M^ W" Robson, M"^. James Moply,
M^ John Butten, M^ W° Shinton.
Taxables, 221.
Somerset County is divided into four Parishes, viz' : Somerset, Coventry,
Stepney, Snow Hills.
Somerset Parish consists of Monokin and Manny Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish, as by return, viz' :
John Hewett, Nath' Horsey,
Rich"* Chambers, Miles Gray, Taxables, 304.
John Panter, Peter Elzey.
Coventry Parish consists of Pocomoke and Annamessex Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s"* Parishes by return, viz':
M'. Francis Jenkins, M"^. W" Planner,
M"'. George Layfield, M''. Tho" Dixon, Taxables, 369.
M^ Tho= Ruball, M'. W-" Colebourn.
Stepney Parish consists of Wiccocomors and Nantococke Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s^ Parish, as by return, viz' :
M^ John Hewett, Clerk,
M^ James Weatherley, M'. Rob' Collyer,
M^ John Bounds, M"'. Tho' Holdbrook, Taxables, 362.
M'. Philip Carter, M^ Philip Ashew.
1698.] 20
Snow Hill Parish consists of Poynedenorton and Mattapany Hundreds.
Vestrymen for the s*^ Parish, as by return, viz' :
M'. Matthew Scarborough, M^ Tho" Poynter,
M'. William Round, M'. Tho. Selby, Taxables, 353.
M'. John Franklin, M'. Edw* Hammond.
(A true Copy.)
HEN. DENTON, Clk. Council.
Return of Romish Priests and hay Brothers resident in the
Province of Maryland, together with returns of Quakers
and other Dissenters.
In obedience to an order of His Excellency the Governor and Council,
dated the 10* of August, 1697, commanding the several Sheriffs of this
Province to return a list of what Romish Priests and Lay Brothers are resident
in their respective Countys, and what Churches, Chappels, or places of
worship they have, what manner of building^s they are, and in what places
situate, and return also a like account about the Quakers and other Dissent-
ers from the Church of England, and of their places of worship, &c.
The several Sheriffs do return their Answers as follows, viz' :
i^'. The Sheriff of Ann Arundell County:
There is neither Priest nor Lay Brother.
The Quakers have one new timber work meeting-house, built at West
River, upon land formerly Mr. Francis Hooker's, by them purchased to the
quantity of two acres, where they keep their yearly meeting (which is at
Whitsuntide).
Also a quarterly meeting at the house of Sam' Chew.
Also a monthly meeting in Herring Creek meeting-house, standing on land
purchased of Sam' Chew. Also a weekly meeting at the same house. Also
monthly and weekly meetings at the house of W" Richardson, Sen"', West
River.
21 [1698.
Also a weekly meeting at the house of Ann Lumbolt, near the head of
South River.
Also a monthly meeting at the house of John Belt.
So far as I have the account from M''. Richardson, I can understand of
no preachers they have in this country, but M"'. W"" Richardson and Samuel
Galloway's wife.
The Sheriff of Baltimore County :
That there is neither teacher nor place of worship, either of Roman
Catholics or Quakers.
The Sheriff of Calvert County:
There is neither Priest nor Lay Brother, or any of their Churches or
Chapels.
The Quakers have one very old meeting-house near Leonard's Creek,
and one place of meeting in the dwelling-house of George Royston, at the
Clifts.
The Sheriff of Prince George County :
There is neither Papist, Priest, Lay Brother, Parish Church, Chapel, nor
Quakers' meeting-house.
The Sheriff of Charles County :
Here are three Romish Priests, and one Lay Brother, viz': Rich'' Hubbert
Fryar, after the Order of St. Francis ; W"' Hunter & Rob' Brook, of the
Order of the Jesuits ; W" Burley, Lay Brother ; and the places of worship are,
one Chapel, near Newport Town, about 40 feet long and about 20 feet wide,
has been built above twenty years. Also another Chapel, at Major W"
Boroman's, about 30 feet long and 20 wide, being within two miles of the
aforesaid, and has been built about 16 or 18 years; also a place of worship
commonly used at Priest Hubbert's own dwelling-house, about a mile and a
half from the aforesaid Chapel, and another at M'. Hunter's, living at Port
Tobacco, a house fitting up for a Chapel near the dwelling-house of the said
Hunter, which is the present place of meeting.
Two Quakers, but none of their meeting-houses.
1698.] - 22
The Sheriff of St. Mary's County :
List of Romish Priests, &c.
M^ John Hall, M'. Nicholas Gewlick.
One Lay Brother at St. Inagoe's.
Chapels.
I Brick Chapel at St. Mary's.
I Wooden Chapel at M^ Gewlick's Plantation.
I Wooden Chapel at Clement's Town.
I Wooden Chapel beyond Petuxant Road, near M"". Hayward's.
As to Quakers and Dissenters, — none in the County.
Eastern Shore.
The Sheriff of Somerset County :
Here are neither Popish Priests, Lay Brothers, nor any of their Chapels.
As to the Quakers and other Dissenters, to the first, none as I know of
particularly, and the other hath a house at Snow hill.
One at the Road going up along the Sea side, and one at Nearoakin,
about 30 feet long, plain Country buildings, all of them.
The Sheriff of Dorchester County:
No Romish Priest nor Dissenting Ministers in my Provinces.
The Sheriff of Talbot County :
No Romish Priest nor Lay Brother residing within the County ; as to their
places of worship, Clapboard house at Doncaster Town.
As to the Quakers' places of worship, they have a small meeting-house at
Ralph Fishbourne's, and another at Howell Powsby, another between King's
Creek and Tuckahoe; these are Clapboard houses about 20 feet long.
Another framed house at the head of Tread Havon Creek, about 50 feet
long.
23
[1698.
The Sheriff of Kent County :
No Popish Priest nor Lay Brother, nor public place of their worship in
this County ; only 3 Papists, viz' :
Edm-^ Mackdonall, )
Tho. Collins, \ Papists.
James Bruard, )
Morgan Brown,
Eliza, his Wife,
Dan' Norris,
Susannah Thomas,
W° True, SenS
Eliza, his Wife,
W" True, Jun^
Nath' Keddy,
A List of Quakers.
Jn° Flosier,
Rebecca, his Wife,
Rob' George,
Dennis Clark,
Edw^ Fry,
Sarah Toas,
Daniel & John,
her Sons,
Edw"* Walwin,
Philip Everett.
Barbara, his Wife,
Joan Workman,
Geo. Elliott,
John Parson,
James Wilson,
Dorothy Price.
Their place of Worship is upon a branch of a Creek running out of
Chester River, called Island Creek, the house about 30 feet long and 20 wide,
with a partition, after the manner of a tobacco house, near which is a piece
of ground paled in, where they bring their dead, about 50 feet square.
May the 24'^ 1698.
This is an Abstract of the several Sheriffs' returns to the within order.
W»^ BLADEN, Clk. Council.
An Account of Glebe lands within the province of Maryland, according to
returns made of the same by the Sheriffs, viz*:
A Plantation in St. George's Hundred, given by one Cagen to the Church
there, which is now within the Parish of William and Mary, in St. Mary's
County,
Two hundred acres of land called the Addition, given by will of one Rich''
Randall, of Charles County, towards the maintenance of a Protestant minister
there, and lies within the Parish of Nanjemy.
1698.] 24
Capt° Ladd, of Christ Church Parish, in Calvert County, hath given 250
acres of land (by will) to the Church. As also M^ John Manning, of the s"*
County and Parish, hath given 100 acres to the Minister.
(A true Copy.)
HEN. DENTON, Clk. of Council.
By his Excellency the Captain General^ ^c.
A PROCLAMATION.
Maryland, ss.
Whereas, I have lately received credible information from Charles County
and other parts of this His Majesty's Province, how that several Popish
Priests and zealous Papists make it their constant business (under pretence
of visiting the sick during this time of common calamity and sickness) to
seduce, delude, and persuade divers of His Majesty's good Protestant subjects
to the Romish faith, by which means sundry of the Inhabitants of this His
Majesty's Province have been withdrawn from the Protestant religion by law
established, and from the due and natural obedience they owe to his s"^
Majesty and laws, whereby the party so reconciled and withdrawn, as well as
their procurers and counsellors, have justly incurred the penalty and forfeit-
ures as in cases of high treason, if thereof lawfully convicted, &''., as by the
Statute of the 23''^ of Elizabeth and divers other Statutes does evidently and
plainly appear. And forasmuch as it hath been likewise represented unto me
how that Protestant Servants living with Popish Recusants are restrained
from going to Church : for prevention of all such mischiefs and growing evils
for the future I have thought fit (by and with the advice and consent of His
Majesty's Honorable Council and Members of the House of Delegates in
Assembly now sitting) to issue this my Proclamation strictly prohibiting and
forewarning all Priests and Papists whatsoever to desist and forbear such
their notorious and open violation of His Majesty's known laws, under pain
25 [1698.
of prosecution and suffering such penalties as by the s"* Laws are prescribed;
as also of the parties so withdrawn and reconciled to the Romish faith as
aforesaid. And I have further thought fit hereby likewise to signify that by
the aforementioned Statute, It is Enacted and Declared that all and every
person and persons that shall willingly be aiders or maintainers of such
persons so offending, as is above expressed, or of any of them knowing the
same, or which shall conceal any offence as aforesaid, and shall not within
twenty days at the farthest after such person's knowledge of such offence
disclose the same to some Justice of Peace or other higher Officer, shall be
taken, tryed, and judged, and shall suffer the forfeits as Offenders in misprision
of treason, of which said Clause in the afore-recited Statute all persons are
hereby cautioned and strictly enjoined and required to take notice and
conform themselves thereto accordingly, under the penalties therein contained,
and do by and with the advice and consent aforesaid, strictly charge and
command that no Popish Recusant whatsoever living within this His Majesty's
Province, having any Protestant Servants or other persons under his, her, or
their jurisdiction and power, do any ways restrain or hinder them from going
to the respective Parish Churches under the severest penalties, and to the
end due notice hereof may be given, I do strictly command the several Sheriffs
of the Province to publish this my Proclamation in all Churches, Chapels, and
other public places of worship and meeting within their respective Counties,
whereof they are in no wise to fail at their peril. Given in the town and
port of Annapolis, under the Broad Seal of the Province, this 29"^ day of
March, 1698, and in the tenth year of His Majesty's Reign. God save the
King.
(True Copy, examined by the Original.)
W. BLADEN, Cone.
I700.] 26
Gov\ FRA' NICHOLSON to the Archbf of Canterbury.
(EXTRACT.)
Maryland, Port Anapolis, May 26"", '98.
May it please your Grace,
I am highly honoured with your Grace's of 7"" Oct^ 1 6 — , and hope in God
that before this, by your Grace's Interest, the laws are passed, especially that
for free schools. Your Grace's great condescention in sending me the
Extracts of sev' Letters of Priests, &■=., relating to their having hopes of
spreading Popery here more than formerly, I hope in God to make such use
of as to countermine their wicked designs. And I presume to send your
Grace the enclosed Copy of Proclamation concerning you, as also one of His
Majesty's Royal Instructions to me, by which y"^ Grace may [be] pleased to
see that they are not expected here, as in Virginia, so that with humble sub-
mission to your Grace's greater wisdom, except His Majesty be pleased to
keep this Government, and except them, as in Virginia that idolatrous religion
will still continue as it is, if not increase. But I intend (God willing) to put
all the rubs I can in their way.
F. NICHOLSON.
The humble Address of yo' Majesty s loving ^ dutfull subjects
your Council &f Burgesses of this present Gen Assembly
of Maryland.
To y' King's Most Excellent Majesty.
Dread Sovereign,
Having of late been blessed with y' Majesty's immediate Government and
protection of us, we did, at y« first Assembly, take into consideration y^ settle-
2 7 [1700.
ment of Religion here, according to y* fundamentals of y^ Church of EngP,
as y' which we conceived to be o"' Duty to God, yo"^ Majesty, and ourselves,
and most acceptable, which, being contained in an Act of Assembly to y'
purpose, we humbly presented to your Majesty for your royal assent thereto.
But being lately informed y', because y* same Act was not so concise in y*
Words as might be drawn, and y' y^ same contained matters of diverse
natures, your Majesty did not think fit to pass y^ same as it was then drawn.
Therefore in y* last Assembly of this Province, held at y"^ Majesty's port
of Annapolis, y° 10"^ day of July, 1696, we did revise and amend y^ s"^ Act by
y* best methods and form we were capable of, which we have presented to
yo'' Majesty, humbly praying by y', as we doe by this, for yo" Majesty's royal
Assent thereunto, by which We shall, we hope, be blessed with y^ glorious
light of y® Gospel amongst us in a more lively and plentifull manner than
heretofore : whereby we shall be more perfectly instructed in our duty to God
and yo' Majesty, and with greater delight attend both.
We humbly hope y' there is nothing in this Act y' may hinder yo"' royal
Assent, y' so y^ purest of Christian religion may be settled amongst us, beyond
y^ Malice of yo"" Majesty's & our Enemys to disturbe or Change.
Nor can we discern any thing of a different Nature therein, save one
clause affecting y" rights and privileges of yo' Majesty's loving Subjects here,
which we find in former laws of Religion by yo" Majesty's royal predecessor
granted and frequently reitterated, and is granted to yo' Majesty's subjects
here in y* Grant of this Province to y^ Lord Baltemore, to be extended to y"
under his Lordship's Government : And we dare not conceive but y' your
Majesty will extend y'= same Benediction to us under your immediate Govern-
ment, and be graciously pleased to grant your royal assent to y^ said Act.
And we are y^ nearer concerned to supplicate yo*^ Majesty in this behalf
upon reflection of y'^ late usage of yo" Majesty's Secretary, S" Thomas
Laurense, here.
These things we humbly lay before yo" Maj% and submitting y* same
wholy to yo" Majesty's Wisdom, humbly beseech yo" Majesty y' if you shall
not see convenient to pass y^ s"^ Act as it is now drawn, y' you will be
graciously pleased to cause your royal instructions to be sent to us, directing
how we shall compose y" same for yo" royal Assent, and in y" mean time y' y*
same may continue to us as it is now drawn, for continuing Religion and y*
light of y* Gospel amongst us, till by another Act to be composed for y' purpose,
1 700.]
28
this shall be repealed, and yo"^ Majesty's loyal and loving subjects shall ever
pray for yo' Majesty's long, glorious, & happy reign over us.
And we most humbly hope and pray y' your Majesty will now be
graciously pleased to stamp our law for Free Schools with yo' royal Approba-
tion and Assent, being by us revised and amended according to your Majesty's
Instructions, by w'='^ y® Children yet unborn may bless and praise y"" glorious
Name, as do yo"" Majesty's most loyal and loving subjects.
Duplicat Signed by y* hon'ble his Maj*^'^ Council and y"= House of
Burgesses :
Kenelm Chiseldin, Speaker,
Thomas Wanghop,
Philip Clark,
W" Frisby.
John Hinson,
Hans Hanson,
Tho : Smith,
Edw"" Dorsey,
James Sanders,
Tho: Tasker,
James Crawford,
Francis Hutchins,
W"" Smith,
Henry Hawkins,
James Smallwood,
W« Dent,
Philip Hoskins,
Edw"' Boothby,
John Hall,
Geo: Ashman,
John Ferry,
Robert Smith,
Tho : Smithson,
W" Hemsely,
W" COURSEY,
W"" Bladen, CI. Assembly,
Tho: Laurense,
Hen, Jowls,
Nicholas Greenberry,
Charles Hutchins,
David Brown,
James Frisby, ->
Francis Jenckins,
Matthew Scarborough,
Tho : Dixon,
John Bozman,
Tho : Hicks,
Henry Hooper,
John Pollard,
W" Hatton,
Edward W. Blay,
Casper A. Hermon,
John Thomson,
Ninia Beal,
W" Hutchison,
W" Burton.
► [Council.]
[A true Copy.]
Hen. Denton, Clerk of Council.
29 [1700.
At y"' Court at Kensington,
ye 20"" day of Feb., 1 699.
Present :
The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Whereas, by powers granted under y® great Seal of England to Col.
Francis Nicholson, Capt° Gen'' and Govern' in chief of his Maj'^'^ Province of
Maryland, in America, dated y* lo"' day of February, in y® 5"^ year of his
Majesty's Reign, as allso to Col. Nathaniel Blakistone, Capt° gen"'' and
Govern"^ in chief of y" s^ Province, dated y" 9"^ day of October, in y* 10"' Year
of his Majesty's reign, y^ Govern'', Council, and Assembly of y' Province have
been impowered to constitute and ordain laws w'''' are to be in force untill his
Majesty's pleasure be signifyed to y^ contrary.
And for as much as in pursuance of y^ same power, two laws have been
passed in y® gen"''' Assembly of y^ s"* province in y* years 1696, and one
thousand six hundred ninety-nine, the first intituled an Act for the Service of
AUmighty God, &"=., y* establishment of y" Protestant Religion within this
Province, wherein is a Clause declaring all y^ laws of England to be in force
in Maryland ; which Clause is of another nature than what is set forth by y®
Title of y* s^ law ; the other law being intituled an Act appertaining y® laws
of this Province, which laws, having been perused by y* Lords Commis'"'^ of
Trade & Plantations, and thereupon presented at this Board for his Majesty's
Determination concerning y* s'^ laws, his Majesty in Council is pleased to
signify his disapprobation and disallowance of y* s"* laws : And according to
his Majesty's pleasure y* s^ laws are hereby repealed and declared void and
of none effect.
JOHN POVEY.
1 700.] 30
Gov". BLAKISTON to the Archb^ of Canterbury.
Maryland, 10*'' April, 1700.
May it please your Grace,
By the hands of D"". Bray I had a signal favor and honor conferred upon
me in the receipt of your Letter of f"- Nov', by which I find myself happy in
your Grace's good wishes for me, and lay under the misfortune of being an
absolute stranger to your Grace at my coming here, but hope you will pardon
me if I tell your Grace I am sorry for the occasion (which is by a law that is
dropped), though it will give me a handle to confirm you not only of my
principles, but my true zeal for the Church of England, by disannulling the s**
law, which has but lately occurred here, to our great surprize.
I did flatter myself, notwithstand^ the pageantry and boast of some
people, that the Church was in all moral probability not to be shocked by a
mean party within ourselves here, whose interest at home I took to be slender,
and did believe that we only wanted D"^. Bray to make some regulations
amongst us with his good example, which I do not doubt but he would have
effectually done, had not we been unhinged, as I am afraid I may too justly
term it, for in the same Ship which brought us the worthy gentleman came
an Order of Council for the disannulling the law for religion, which con-
sequently has taken off the 40 'p poll, of which I have here lent your Grace
a Copy to avoid being [MS. illegible.]
I cannot omit to acquaint your Grace that I have not yet had . . .
[MS. illegible] ... to me by either of . . . [MS. illegible] ... of it was
its being publickly delivered me by the Quakers, which was in addition
to your surprize . . . [MS. illegible] ... the Quakers' interest have been
too prevalent, which the malice of some others who are above me, and there-
fore not fit for me to conceive, but I crave leave to tell your Grace it has so
awakened me that I have not employed my thoughts in any Public affairs
but in consulting with D^ Bray, the most prudent method to reestablish it
again. Though he is a Stranger in the province I am not, and I have en-
deavored to possess him with the first information I am capable of, and of
what I intended to offer to the Council, which met yesterday. In order to
retrieve our misfortune, he was pleased to approve of my weak conduct in
31 [1700.
the matter, but w*"^ all I assured him, if he did conceive any other methods
more advantageous, I was ready to close with him, and decline my own.
I must acquaint your Grace that I have contrived it so that the Assembly
shall meet the 26* of this month, though privately I crave leave to signify to
your Grace I ought to have some farther instructions before from home, but
D^ Bray, with myself, and all those who are well inclined to the Church, are
positively of Opinion that if I defer meeting the Assembly longer we shall
certainly lose our glorious Cause, for the Quakers will be able to make their
interest better ; besides, it is discovered as it is, M"". Penn will be this way
towards Whitsuntide, whose head will be privately at work, no doubt, as an
enemy to us in his advice.
I do not foresee any prejudice it will be in calling the Assembly, only am
afraid what I have done out of a true affection to the Church may by some be
rendered to my [dis] advantage at home, though I have the vanity to hope it
must be grounded upon nothing but my appearing was upon this occasion,
is this Assembly should obtrude, and reviving by law and cloging it. I am
resolved to dismiss them, and try another. I shall take care to have all my
proceedings upon Record, both with the Council and Assembly, or to be sent
to your Grace if necessity requires it. I hope my Actions will be so justifi-
able to stand the test of the most malicious. D"'. Bray has seen what has yet
past. I have given him the Characters of both the Council and Assembly to
transmit to your Grace, who are for and against us. As soon as possible I
was capable of making a judgment, I must confess I have great hopes of our
success. The good agreement and harmony that has been kept with the
Assembly and myself gives me some hopes they will not gravell me in my
first request. I crave leave to refer your Grace to D", Bray for a more ample
information of our affairs, having already from fear exceeded the bounds of
what becomes him who is, with all Duty,
Y" Grace's most humble and
Most obedient Son & Servant,
N. BLACKISTON.
ijoo.] 32
Maryland, the 28"' May, 1 700.
May it please your Grace,
I did, on the lo*^ of April last, Address your Grace with a long letter, but
the subject upon which it was founded will, I hope, plead my pardon for that
familiar application. I am now to acquaint your Grace that, by God's assist-
ance, all our fears are dissipated, and the law for establishing the Protestant
religion is revived again, so that I hope the malice of our enemys the
Quakers has rather tendered to our service than otherwise, for it has given
us an handle to put it now upon such a foot that I cannot possibly be unhinged
again. It is now washed and purged of all the Dregs that were the cause of
its being disassented to, for it now contains nothing but what is essential to
its own constitution, as your Grace, I hope, will find the copy here enclosed
from D^ Bray.
I have with all imaginable zeal endeavored . . . this good work, and beg
leave to assure your Grace that my endeavours for the promotion of the
Church shall never be wanting in me, and desire only your Grace will allow
my Actions to be the standard of what I have professed so solemnly to a
person of your piety and Honorable Station. The Address of the Council
and Assembly is here likewise transmitted to your Grace and my Lord of
London, to beg your patronage and favour to His Majesty in laying it before
him, lest it should be stifled. I crave leave to refer you to D^ Bray for the
reason why we apply to y' Grace in this affair, not being too proper for me to
mention. I am sensible y"' Grace's minutes are very precious, so will not
presume to trouble you any further, but that I am, &".,
N. BLACKISTON.
The Present State of the Protestant Religion in Maryland,
In the year 1691, his Majesty, having graciously thought fit to take the
Government of Maryland into his own hands, and the province into his
immediate care, in May, 1692, an Act of Assembly pass'd for the establish-
ment of the Protestant religion there, and for dividing of the ten counties
33 [lyoo.
thereof into five-and-twenty parishes, each of which are endowed with a
competent maintenance for a minister, but the execution of that Act hath
been in a manner wholly neglected, till it pleased His Majesty to confer the
Government on the most worthy and excellent person, Francis Nicholson,
Esq^, who, since his arrival in August, 1694, with an indefatigable Industry
and Zeal to promote His Majesty's honour, the Interest of the Protestant
Religion, and the good of the whole province, hath revived and reinforced the
said Act by another additional one for the increase and maintenance of
religion, hath collected the arrears, and is now building several Churches,
besides one Fine Church at Annapolis, in Arundel County, with a Parsonage
House to every Church, Towards all which His Excellency's the Council and
other inhabitants of the Province have generously and largely contributed.
And that a perpetual succession of Protestant divines of the Church of
England may be provided for the propagation of the true Christian Religion
in the said Colony, His Excellency hath, by the consent of the Council and
Burgesses in assembly, promoted a law, vesting a power in certain trustees
for erecting one Free School in each County, one of which is already begun
at Annapolis, and is to be endowed with ^100 sterling p"' annum for the
maintenance of one master and two ushers, for instructing the youth of the
said province in Arithmetick, Navigation, and all useful learning, but chiefly
for the fitting such as are disposed to study divinity, to be further Educated
at his Majesty's College Royal in Virginia, in order upon their return to be
ordained by the Bishop of London Suffragan residing in the Province, both
for that purpose and to supervise the lives of the Clergy thereof, for whose
support also, at the request and recommendation of the assembly, His Excel-
lency hath settled fair and competent maintenance.
The person now deputed by the Lord Bishop of London to be his Com-
missary in Maryland for the Propagation of our most Holy Religion amongst
the infidels, for the inducement of sober and serious young Divines to go to
the foreign Plantations, and for the better qualifying them for so noble and
Christian an employment, is now wholly busied in collecting of Parochial
Libraries of Choice and useful books for the Perpetual use of such of the
Clergy who shall now undertake that Voyage, and for all those who shall
succeed them. And certainly a more suitable encouragement to men of good
parts, and inclinations, to go upon so blessed a Mission, could not be thought
of; for as it is Books alone which will encourage the most studious, virtuous,
I700.] 34
and consequently the most useful persons to go over, so it is an encourage-
ment that is in a manner necessary to be provided in the Foreign Plantations ;
since few or none at their first going over are in a condition to provide them-
selves therewith ; and when they are there, Books are hardly to be met with
by those who shall be able to buy them. And yet without a competent
provision of several useful and necessary books, it is morally impossible that
any should be enabled to instruct their people.
And now that such excellent works are jointly begun and carrying
on, what a happy conjuncture is this (which, perhaps, may not again recur)
for persons who are piously dispos'd to give their helping hand towards
such Blessed and Glorious designs as the propagating of True Christian
Knowledge and Practice, in places formerly so much uncultivated therewith.
Surely if he who converteth a single sinner from the error of his ways, shall
hide a multitude of sins, what abundant matter for comfortable reflections
upon a Death Bed shall that person lay up, who shall contribute towards
providing of the most proper and genuine means, next to the divinely-
inspired writings, of converting many poor souls, not only in this, but in all
future generations, even so long as the sun and moon endureth.
A Memorial Representing the present Case of the Church
in Maryland.
In y'= year 1691, His Ma'^ having Graciously taken y" Province of Mary-
land, formerly under y= Governm' of y= L* Baltimore, a Papist, under his
Immediate Protection; In May, 1692, an Act of Assembly pass'd for th'
Establishment of y« Protestant Religion therein, according to y" Church of
England (but w"" a Toleration to Dissent'" such as Provided by y* Law in
England), & for Dividing ye 10 Counties of y* Province into 30 Parishes, w*
a small Maintenance for a Minister in each Parish. But y* Execution of y'
Law being suspended upon y* Death of Col. Copley, then Gov^ upon y^
Arrival of his Success"", Gov"" Nicholson, y'= Law was Revis'd & Reinforc'd by
35 [lyoo.
another additional Act, & the same was sent home for y^ R. Assent. But y'
Law having had a Clause in it of a different nature, Giving to y' Colony all y"
Priviledges of Magna Charta, it was Rejected, his Ma'^ at y* same time signi-
fying very great Reluctancy, y' a Law of y* Nature should be Refused, and
was most Graciously pleas'd to order y' Instruccions should be sent to Mary-
land to have it Revis'd & Enacted in y^ next Assembly w^'out such Clause.
In y'= year 1696 the Law of Religion was according to his Ma*^'^ Instruc-
cions Revis'd & Reenacted, & was sent to y^ Lords of y^ Council of Trade ;
Together w* a most humble Address to be presented to his Ma''' in y behalf
of y^ s'^ Law, Requesting w*all, that if this Second should be found Excep-
tionable, y* Law might be sent from hence, drawn up to their hands, and they
would readily pass it. But so it was that, without y* knowledge of either of
y' Spiritual Lords in Council, or w^'out y^ least Notice Given to such as were
Concern'd therein in y^ behalf of y^ Country for y^ Defence of y° s^ Law, att
y* Sollicitacon of y* Quakers, an Order of Council pass'd Nov'' 30, 1699, for
y" Annulling of y' Law, and was sent to y^ Gov"^ of Maryland by y^ hands of
M^ Penn's Agent, one Singleton, a Quaker.
Upon notice in Maryland y' y® Law for Religion was Revers'd, & con-
sequently y* y^ Province must be left Destitute of a Protestant Ministry, & y
at a Juncture when more Priests had of late come in than were before known
in y* Country at any one time. The Inhabitants were universally in a great
Consternation, & their minds much Disquieted. And out of a Singular zeal
for their Religion, Did in y" next Assembly w"* a Nemine Contradicente
Reenact y* Law, purging it according to y® best of their skill, of all Clauses
formerly excepted ag^'. And have withall sent home y" same to y'= Lords of
y° Council of Trade, Together w"' another most Humble Address to be
presented to His Ma''', expressing y^ Earnest Desires of y= whole Province
to have y* Protestant Religion according to y'= Church of England Establish',
& its Ministry maintain'd amongst y". And y^ Gov"^ & Council of Maryland
have since, for the Satisfaction of y* Lords of Trade, sent home these their
Reasons why they have Reenacted y^ fores'^ Law of Religion, viz', y' y^
Greatest & most Eminent part of the Province are earnestly Sollicitous for
Establishing our Religion, That it is their dearest Interest ; and y' with the
greatest & most humble Acknowledgem'^ they are sure it will be received by
them & all his Ma'^'^ good subjects there.
The Sole Opposers of th' Establishment of our Church & Clergy in y'
I700.] 36
Province are y« Quakers and y" Papists. And y= two Principal reasons urg'd
by y' Quakers (for y* Papists do not publickly appeare) are y' they are ye
Antient Seaters, who were Invited into the Province, & came there upon
the Expectations of Liberty of Conscience. And y' they are a Considerable
part of the people, by w'='' they would Insinuate y' it would be prejudicial to
Trade y' they should be aggriev'd by paym' of Church dues. To w"='' y<=
Council of Maryland have answered to this Effect, first, y' so far were y«
Quakers from being y"' Antient Seaters, or at all invited to seat there, that
when they first came in they were ordered by publick authority to be whipt
out for disturbing ye Government & Refusing to bear a share in its Expences.
That, notw^'standing y" Legal Establishm' of y'= Church of England, and y«
maintenance of its Clergy, a Liberty of Conscience is allow'd to y™, and all
Dissenters, according to Law. And Lastly, y' so far are y= Quakers at
this time from being any Considerable part y* they are Confident they will not
make a twelveth part of the Province.
And now upon the Whole of this Case I humbly Crave Leave to
Remark :
1. That y'= Law for th' Establishm' of y* Church of England & y" main-
tenance of its Clenjiy is y" Country's own Act, and if y* General Inclination
of a People can be at all Concluded from the publick Acts of its Represen-
tatives, it must be in this Case Constru'd very much in favour of our Church
& its Clergy, y' notw^'standing such Difficulties, they should by four Succeed-
ing Laws Establish y", & twice Address in their behalf w"" a Nemine
Contradicente,
2. That y^ Churches are now built throughout y* Province, and y' it would
be y' utmost Disconsolation to all good minds therein, to have their Churches
turn'd into Popish Chappels, or Converted to any prophane Use.
3. That a Clergy have been sent over Seas at y" repeated Sollicitations of
y* Country, who, by Several Letters sent from y^ Assembly, as well as from
y^ Gov^ did earnestly press y" L'd B'p of London, & his Commissary, to
supply y" therew* Giving all y« Assurances of an Establish't maintenance,
w^'out w'='' & to live precariously. Persons of merit could not be prevailed upon
37 [i7oo.
to go so many thousand miles ; But upon y* publick Faith & Credit of the
Assembly of that Province have gone over.
4. His Ma*y has been at very great Charges by several Royal Bounties
out of his Treasury in Sending over Ministers. And y'^ better to Enable y""
who have been Sent over to preach y* Gospel, They have been fitted out w""
good Libraries, to remain there for the use of them & their Success" for ever,
by a Noble Grant from his Ma'^ & by y^ Bounty of her R. Highness y-^
Princess of Denmark & many of y* Nobility, Clergy, & Gentry throughout y"=
K'gdom, whose great Charity will be Sunk & y^ Libraries y'^selves rendered
useless, should the Clergy return home.
5. Should y* Clergy be forc'd to return home, it will be an Extream
Hardship upon those amongst y"^ who are marry'd & have begun to Settle,
as also, in some measure, to those who sent y"'.
6. But to be Deprived of its Ministers will be more Especially so to y"
Country, who do most heartily acknowledge how much y'' Face of Things has
been alter'd for y* better by y® Increase of Morality & Honesty amongst y"
Since they have had a Clergy,
7. It do's y® more Disquiet their minds to think of having their Clergy
recalled at a Juncture when y* Popish Priests are pouring in amongst y™ (no
less than 6 having come in Last year, more than were Sent in of y* Protestant
Clergy, to whom they are now in a manner equall, there having been 6 in
before). And if upon y" w"'drawing of y^ Protestant Ministers y* Province
sh'd be left utterly destitute, & be totally deliver'd up to Popish Priests, their
Condition would be most Disconsolate, or, as they y^selves Express it. This
would cause great Disquiet in the minds of His Ma'^'^ good Subjects there.
8. It may prove of fatal Consequence to his Ma*'''* Interest to have y'
Country in y® Center of all his Provinces on y* Continent of America expos'd
to y'= Perversions of y* Popish Priests at a Juncture when y French from
Canada are so notoriously Diligent in sending their Emissaries amongst y^
Indians lying on the back of this & th' other Colonies, to draw y" into their
Sup'stition & Alliance. Into whose Religion & Interests also should y^ Priests
I700.] 38
bring Maryland, It is obvious to any y' know its Scituation, how y' would
affect all th' English Plantations on the Continent.
9. If it be thought advisable not to Disgust y'' Quakers, who are but a
twelveth part of y* Province, least it sh'd be prejudicial to Trade, Will it not
be much more advisable, & y' for y'' Sake of Trade, not to Disgust y*
Protestants, who are ten twelveths (allowing y"= Papists as well as y^ Quakers
to be one) ; It being plain from y* Premises y' y" Quakers, one twelveth part,
can not have a greater Zeal ag' the Establishm' of our Religion, than the
Protestants, who are tenn twelveths, have for it.
TO. The Quakers have not y® least reason to complain upon y^ account of
so small a Paym' to y'= National Church as y* 40"'^ of Tobacco '^ Poll, they
being very far, as appears before, from having been Invited into y" Province
w"" Promise of Liberty of Conscience. And who yet, notw"'standing th'
Establishm' of our Church, as the Country declares, are p'mitted the Quiet
and peaceable Enjoym' & Use of their Religion w'^'out y" least Molestation.
And Whereas, they think it an Infringm' to their Liberty to pay Church dues,
I humbly conceive where Liberty of Conscience is most allow'd, as in
Holland, y"= National Church has y* legal Maintenance at y* Charge of all
Perswasions. And in y^ Act of Toleration w"' us there is a Proviso y'
Quakers & others should pay y^ Church dues.
Lastly, It is humbly desir'd it may be consider'd y' y« Maintenance of
40"" of Tobacco 'p Pole is so far from being justly Invidious, y' it is y"
poorest Support y' I believe is given to y^ Clergy in any Church in y= Chri'an
World. It amounts not to above a loo"" part of y" Produce of y' one
Commodity of Tobacco, & there is nothing accrues from th' Increase of
any thing else. And, after all, it raises but a very poor Support for y"
Incumbent in a parish of 30, 40, or 50 Miles Length, & in all its Dimensions
larger than some English Counties, And yet w'"' this Small Maintenance,
because of y« Vastness of the Parishes, the Clergy are at Extraordinary
Expences, being often oblig'd to keep two Horses a piece to Ride into all y«
Parts of their Cures to Discharge their Ministerial Duties of Preaching,
Visiting, Christ'nings, and Funerals.
I find th' only Objection ag^' y"= Law itself, is y« Generality of the Words,
39 [lyoo.
And in other places of publick Worship, w'='' it is sayd may be Constru'd so,
as by bringing y'' Comon Prayer into the Quakers' Meetings, to p^judice y'
Liberty of Conscience w"'' y* Quakers enjoy.
To w'^'' I humbly offer :
1. That y^ Attorney General declares y' he believes it was not Intended
by y* Makers of y* Law to prejudice Liberty of Conscience. And I humbly
Conceive General Words cannot be construed to take away y' Liberty w""*
other Laws do Expressly grant.
2. That, together w"" y* Law of Religion Confirm'd by his Ma% an
Explanatory Bill be sent to Maryland to pass into a Law to take off all
Danger of Intrenching upon their Liberty of Conscience.
3. Whereas, it may be urg'd y' the R. Assent sh'd be Suspended til an
Explanation upon these General Words be Return'd from Maryland, I humbly
Conceive y' thereby to prevent a very Remote, & Scarce possible Incon-
venience, Severall present & Unavoidable Mischiefs will accrue, as :
(i.) That y* Province will be continu'd under y' Suspence, & Disquiet in
their minds for want of having our Religion Establisht, under w'^'' they have
Lab'red these five years, & to my certain knowledge w"' much Uneasiness,
now especially y' y^ Popish Priests are pouring in so fast upon y"".
(2.) There are at present 15 Parish Churches vacant in Maryland, And y^
people in those Parishes do w"" much Importunity press y' they should be
supply'd w"' Ministers as well as the rest, they having been equally at Charges
w"" them in Building their Churches.
(3.) Til y*= Law shall be put beyond all Danger by having y'= R. Assent,
we find it next to Impossible to have men of Worth go so many thousand
miles. The known Methods w'='' y'' Quakers have so often taken w*^ success
to Defeat y' Law, increasing y" uncertainty of an Establisht Church &
maintenance too much .to have persons go so far, & w"* such Charge &
Danger.
I70I.] 4o
(4.) It is very p'bable y' y* Assembly will be over before an Explanatory
Bill can reach y", And then it will be almost two years til their Religion can
receive an Establishm' & a Clergy be sent, Except they shall Call an
Assembly on purpose, w'=^ will Cost ye Province ^500.
(5.) Since y^ Quakers' late private manner of getting y'= Law of Religion
anull'd has Created a Dissatisfacion both at Home, & in y« Plantations,
I humbly offer whether it may not be to his Ma'^'^ Service to have it Confirm'd
by his R. Assent before y^ Parliam* Sitts.
Opinion Respecting Act of Maryland Assembly.
Jan^ II* 1701.
To the Right Hon"' the Lords Comm" for Trade and Plantations :
May it Please your Lordships:
In obedience to your Lordship's Commands, signified to me by M^ Popple
the 30* of July last, I have considered of the acts past at a General Assembly
held in Maryland the 26"" day of April, 1700 (viz'), "An act for the service of
Almighty God and Establishment of Religion in this province, according to
the Church of England," And do find by the act for the service of Almighty
God and Establishment of Religion in that province according to the Church
of England, It is enacted That the Book of Common Prayer and administra-
tion of the Sacraments, with other rites and ceremonies of the Church of
England, the Psalter and Psalms of David, and Morning and Evening Prayer
therein contained, be solemnly read, and by all and every minister or Reader
in every Church or other place of public worship within that province, in which
clause those words (or other place of Public Worship) are so general that they
may be liable to be construed to extend as well to the places where any Dis-
senters from the Church of England meet together for Divine Worship after
their way, as to the public Churches in that province, and though I believe
this was not intended by the makers of this act, yet if such constructions
41 [lyoi-
should hereafter be made of those words, it may endanger liberty of con-
science in that province and restrain all Dissenters from frequenting any
public places of Divine Worship for the service of God otherwise than
according to the usage of the Church of England, and therefore I humbly
submit it to your Lordship's consideration, Whether this Clause should not
be so far explained that it may not be liable to any objection of taking from
Dissenters Liberty of Conscience. As to the rest of the said Laws, I find
nothing therein contained [contrary] to Law or prejudicial to His Majesty's
prerogative.
All which is humbly submitted to your Lordship's great wisdom.
M^TREVOR.
An Act for the Service of Almighty God, and Establishment
of Religion in this Province^ according to the Church of
England.
Forasmuch as in a well grounded Christian Commonwealth, matters con-
cerning Religion and the honour of God, ought in the first place to be Endeav-
ored, and taken into Consideration, as that which is not only most acceptable
to God, but the best way and means to Obtain His Mercy and Blessing upon
a People or Country ; Be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent
Majesty, by & with the Advice and Consent of this present General Assembly,
and the authority of the same. That all things that have been heretofore Legally
done by Virtue of former Acts of this Province, for this purpose made, and
bearing this title, or tending thereto, in and since the year 1692, be and are
hereby Ratified and confirmed, according to the reasonable Intent & direction
of the said Laws ; to the intent that the further proceedings on so great and
good a Work may be advanc'd and perfected by this Law, to which purpose ;
Be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Book of Common Prayer,
and Administration of the Sacraments, with other Rites and Ceremonies of the
Church, according to the use of the Church of England, the Psalter and
Psalms of David, and Morning and Evening Prayer therein contained, be
Solemnly Read, and by all and every Minister or Reader in every Church, or
I70I.] 42
OTHER PLACE OF PuBLic WoRSHiP, withifi this Province ; and whereas y" pres-
ent Constitution of this Province being in its Infancy, will not admit of raising
a Maintainance by way of Tithes as in England ; Be it Enacted by the Au-
thority aforesaid, that for Encouragm' of faithful and able ministers, Labour-
ing in the Work of the Gospel, to come and Reside in this Province, instead
of such Tythes usually in England as aforesaid, a Tax or assessm' of 40
pounds of Tobacco per Poll, be yearly and every year Successively levied
upon every Taxable person, within each respective parish within this Prov-
ince, as they have been, now are, or hereafter shall be Laid out, Limited &
appointed by Law of this Province, and entred upon Record, as the said
former Laws therein did direct, which said assessment of 40 pounds of To-
bacco 'p poll shal always be paid and allowed to the Minister of each respec-
tive Parish, having no other Benefice to Officiate in. Presented, Inducted, or
Appointed by His Excellency the Governor of this Province, or other Person
thereunto Legally authorized, in manner hereinafter Expressed and Ordain'd ;
and every such Minister is hereby required and enjoyn'd to appoint and con-
stantly to keep a Clerk of such Parish Church, and to pay and Satisfye such
Clerk the sum of one thousand pounds of Tobacco yearly, and every year,
out of the said 40 '^ poll ; and to prevent all Illegal and unlawful marriages,
not allowable by the Church of England, but forbidden by the Table of Mar-
riages ; Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no minister, Priest or
Magistrate, shal presume to joine in Marriage any persons whatsoever, con-
trary to the Table of Marriages, by this Act appointed to be sett up in every
parish Church within this Province, nor shal any Persons forbidden to marry
together by such Table of Marriages, presume to be joined in Marriage
under the Penalties following ; That is to Say, under the Penalty of five thou-
sand p^^ of Tobacco upon the Minister, Priest, or Magistrate joining such
Persons in marriage, and under the like penalty of five thousand pounds of
Tobacco upon the Persons so joyned in Marriage, to Our Sovereign Lord the
King, for the uses in this Act hereafter mentioned ; and to prevent any Lay
persons from Joyning any persons in Marriage, where a Minister or Priest
can be had, and to ascertain what shal be paid for Marriages ; be it likewise
Enacted by the authority aforesaid, that in every Parish where any Minister
or Incumbent shal reside, or have charge of Souls therein, no Justice or Mag-
istrate shal join any Person in Marriage, under the Penalty of five thousand
pounds of Tobacco for such offence, to our Sovereign Lord the King as afore-
43 [i7oi.
said ; And that it shal be Lawful to every Minister to take and receive, of
every Person or Persons by him marryed, the sum of five Shillings Sterling,
and no more, any Law to the contrary notwithstanding ; provided such Per-
sons come to such Parish Church or Chappel at the time of Divine Service,
for contracting such ■mar'yiage. And for the better and more effectual Collect-
ing the said Duty of forty pounds of Tobacco ^ poll, and paying the same
to the uses by this Law Intended and appointed, as also for Incorporating a
Political Body, capable in Law to recover and receive all rights and perquisites
accruing or growing due in Law or Conscience, to any Parish Church or
Churches for any pious use or uses whatsoever: Be it Enacted that the
Sherrif of each several County shal, & is hereby obliged to Collect and
gather the said assessm' of 40 per poll of the several Persons within each
respective Parish in his County, in the same manner, and by the same au-
thority, as the Public ahd County Leavy is Collected, and shal pay the same
40 pounds ^ pole to the Vestry of each respective Parish, by this Act consti-
tuted and Incorporated a Body Pollitic. If there be no Incumbent or Minister
Inducted, Instituted or appointed, but in every such Parish where there is such
Minister or Incumbent, who shal be legally Invested with the said Duty of 40
p^ Poll, the same shal be always paid to the said Minister or Incumbent, by
Order of the Vestry as the same shal arise and grow due, after such Minister
or Incumbent's Legall Qualification as aforesaid, each Sherrifife deducting for
his Salary five pounds of Tobacco per Hundred, and no more, any Usage or
Custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And the better to enable y^ Several
Vestrymen, by former Laws and by this appointed and confirmed, to Execute
the Trust and Authoritys reposed in them : Be it further Enacted by the
Authority aforesaid, by and with the Advice and Consent aforesaid ; That the
several Vestrymen of the several Parishes within this Province, that now are
or hereafter shal be chosen and Elected, as they have been so they shal be
and Continue, and are hereby confirmed and Constituted a Body Corporate,
and so to remain and be by Succession in all times to come, to the uses and
purposes following ; that is to say, for the receiving the said 40 pounds of
Tobacco per poll, and the applying and disposing the same, as by this Act is
Ordained ; And the said Vestrymen are hereby impowered & Enabled, by
the names of the Principal Vestryman and his Brethren Vestrymen of such
Parish, to recover, take and Receive into their Custody and Possession, to be
disposed of in Pious uses for the Benefit of the Church and Parish ; any
I70I.] 44
Lands, Tenem*% Hereditaments, or any Estate in any Lands or Tenements of
what Nature or kind soever, or any manner of Goods, Chattels, Debts,
Credits, or other Personal Estate, of what nature or kind soever, and by what
manner of way soever Given, Granted, Bequeathed, or bestowed, either by
Deed, Gift, Promise, or Grant of the Donor or Donors in Life, or by any
last Will and Testament, or any other Honest and Lawful ways or means
whatsoever ; which said Vestries or Bodies Corporate, are confirmed and
hereby made capable of Suing and being Sued, by the Names and Titles
aforesaid, of, for, and touching any the premisses ; of which Vestry or Body
Corporate, the number shal always be Six, at least, except upon Death or
Absence of any one of them, and in such case of Death or Absence, or other
Legal incapacity of serving, the remaining part of such Vestry shal with all
convenient speed m^et, and by Majority of Voices Elect & choose one or
more Sober & discreet Person or Persons, freeholders of each respective
Parish, to supply such Absence or Defect ; and such Persons so Elected and
chosen, after taking the usual Oath appointed by Act of Parliament, instead
of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and the Oath of a Vestryman
appointed by this Act (that is to say) : " I do Solemnly Swear and declare,
that I will Justly and truly Execute the trust and Office of a Vestryman of
this Parish, according to my best Skill and knowledge, without prejudice,
favour, or Affection, but with equal right to all persons, for the Benefit of this
Church and Parish, and I will not Deminish or Detain from any Minister
Legally Qualified, and Presented, Inducted, or appointed by His Excellency
the Gove"', or other Person Legally Authorized thereto, any right. Perquisite,
or Benefit given by Law, So help me God ; " and Subscribing the Test and
Association, shal be deemed and taken, as one of the Vestry to all Intents
and Purposes ; and if any Person so chosen Vestryman, shal refuse to serve
and take the Oaths aforesaid, he shal be fined one thousand pounds of Tobacco
to his Majesty as aforesaid, and the same Method shal always be observed, to
perpetuate the Succession of the Vestry in all time to come, provided always
that in every Parish where any Minister or Incumbent is or shal be Instituted,
inducted, appointed, and Invested with the 40'''= ^ Pole, and residing therein ;
he shal, during his continuance aforesaid, and no longer, be one of the Vestry
of such Parish, and Principal of such Vestry, altho' there be the number of
Six Persons before ; and for keeping a fair Register of all such Vestries'
proceedings, and for Registring of all Births, Marriages, and Burials in each
45 [lyoi.
respective Parish ; Be it enacted by the Authority, Advice, and consent afore-
said, That each Vestry shal, and is hereby obliged, to appoint and keep a fitt
person for a Register, who shal at all times keep a fair Register of the Vestry
proceedings, in Executing their Trust and Authority; which Register shal
also take the Oaths aforesaid, and also an Oath given him by the said Vestry,
for the due and Lawful Executing his said Office, and shal make true Entry
of all Vestry proceedings, and of all Births, Marriages, and Burials (Negroes
and Mallattos excepted), That is to say, the Christian and Sirname, with the
day, month, and year of every such Birth, Marriage, or Burial ; to which
purpose all and every the Inhabitants of each Parish, that are either parents,
Guardians, or Overseers, Masters or Mistresses of any Persons, born.
Married, or Buried, are hereby enjoyn'd and required, to give notice to the
Register of such Parish, within 2 Months after such Birth, Marriage, or
Burial, and pay him sixpence for entring it at the time of giving Notice afore-
said, under penalty of • one hund^ pounds of Tobacco to such Inhabitant
aforesaid neglecting as aforesaid, and under the Penalty of one hundred
pounds of Tobacco to such Register refusing or Neglecting to enter it, having
received his Fee for the Same ; and such Register is likewise hereby obliged
to shew any person or persons reasonably desiring it, any such Register, or
give a certificate of any Register of Births, Marriages, or Burials, that shal be
reasonably required of him, and shal have for his Fees from such persons.
Sixpence for any search, and Sixpence for any Copy or certificate given as
aforesaid, and no more ; hereby ratifying and confirming as valid all Registers
or Entries of any Births, Manages, or Burials, heretofore made with any
Clerk of any County Court, according to directions of such Laws, as was then
in Force, before any of these Laws were in being ; and that the Register of
each Parish may be enabled to perform the Charge hereby required of him,
Be it enacted by the authority, advice, and consent aforesaid, that if there be
any Vestries of any Parishes that have not already provided good and
Substantial writing Books, well Bound, sufficient for Registring such proceed-
ings in, according to the Directions of the former Laws ; that in every such
Case of such Neglect or Omission, the Vestry of such Parish shal, at the
Parish charge, provide such Book or Books, within Six Months from the end
of this Session of Assembly, under the penalty of 500 pounds of Tobacco
each Vestryman (the Minister only excepted) neglecting as aforesaid, to Our
Soveraign Lord the King, for the uses herein mentioned ; and that there may
I70I.J 46
be no neglect in the Vestrys, or those Imployed under them, in y"= careful and
Conscionable performance of their Sev" Charges in this Law contained, the
said Several Vestrys are hereby Obliged to meet frequently, or as often as
need shall require, upon notice given by the Principal Vestryman of each
Parish, to consult of the Methods and ways of performing the several
authorities reposed in them: and from which Vestries so appointed no
Vestryman, without Lawful Impedim', shal absent himself, under the Penalty
of one hundred pounds of Tobacco to each Vestryman wilfully neglecting to
appear as aforesaid, and under the Same Penalty to such Principal Vestryman
who shal not appoint such Vestry, to meet when need shal require, such
Omissions and Neglects to be noted in the Vestry's Register of proceedings,
and recovered in his Majestie's Name, & the said Several and respective
Vestrys are hereby further enjoyned, that where there is not a Table of
Mariages already put up in their Respective Parish Churches, withal conve-
nient speed, and within 6 Months at the most, to procure a fair Table of
Mariages Transcribed and Sett up in their respective Churches, and the Same
Keep continually in the said Church, that persons being thereby informed
what Mariages are forbidden, may avoid the Contracting any such unlawful
Mariages ; and that the said Vestrymen do once every year, in or about the
Month of Janu^ yearly, m,ake choice and appoint two Sober and discreet free-
holders of their Respective Parishes to be Church Wardens for that year,
upon Penalty of 200 Pounds of Tobacco each Vestryman (except before
Excepted), neglecting, either in the Table of Mariages, or appointing Church
Wardens, to Our Sovereign Lord the King as aforesaid, which Church
Wardens so chosen shal take the usual Oaths, and likewise declare upon his
Oath given by the Vestry, well and faithfully to execute that Office the
ensuing year, according to the best of his knowledge ; and any such Person
or Persons so chosen Church Warden or Wardens, that shal wilfully refuse
to serve in the said Office, and take the Oaths aforesaid, shal be fined one
thousand pounds of Tobacco, to Our Soveraign Lord the King; and the
Church Wardens and Vestry are Authorized and required to take constant
care to Satisfye and pay the Parochial Charges, and of all Necessary repairs
and Amendments of their Respective Churches, Chappels, or Churchyards,
and cause the same att all times to be repaired and Amended, as need shal
require, and Satisfye & pay for the Same, either out of the 40 ^ Poll,
where no Minister is appointed, or out of such other Gifts, Grants, goods.
47 [i7oi.
Chattels, or Credits, as shal come to their hands, for the Church or parish
use, if there be any Minister Instituted therein, but if it should so happen
that there should be a Minister Legally instituted therein, and the Vestry
have not any Effects in their hands besides the 40 ^ Poll to pay Parochial
Charges as aforesaid, or to make such necessary repairs as is required, then
and not otherwise, it shal be lawful to the Justices of the County Courts, upon
application of such Parish Vestry and Church Wardens, to assess the
respective Parishes by a certain sum of Tobacco, not exceeding ten pounds
of Tobacco by the Poll in any one year ; which assessment, made by such
County Court, and a Certificate thereof, under the County Seal, shal be
Sufficient to the Sheriff of such County, to Leavy such Tax by the Poll, on
^ the Taxables of such Parishes, in the same manner as other public dues are
levied, and shal not Deduct above five ^ hundred for his Salary, and pay the
Same to such Vestry for the use aforesaid. And to the intent that this Act
may answer the end of the Makers, which is, That His Majestie's good
Subjects of this Province may be instructed in Religion, and therein of their
Duty to God, His Majesty, and themselves, and those Pious and Exemplary
Persons that shal Labour therein Suitably provided for ; Be it enacted by the
authority, advice, and Consent aforesaid, that no Minister or Incumbent shal
at one time hold more than two Parishes, nor two Parishes but by the Desire
and Agreement of the Vestry of the said Adjacent Parish, and the consent of
the Vestry where he Resides, and the appointm' of His Excellency the
Governor, or other Person Legally authorized thereunto, for the time being ;
nor claim other or larger part of the 40 ^ poll, than what such adjacent
Parish shal consent and agree with him yearly to pay, and it is the true Intent
and meaning of this Act, that what sum or sums of Mony, Tobacco, Goods,
Chattels, or any other Interest except Lands, given to the use of the Church,
and the 40 ^ poll that shal come into the Vestry's hands, by any means what-
soever as aforesaidy shal always be employed, in the first place, to repairing
the Church or Chappel, and what appertains to it ; and providing Decent
Ornaments and Requisites for the same, and other Paroshial Charges ; And,
in the next place, for and towards the Educating and Instructing poor
Orphans of the Parish y' are not able to procure Instruction to themselves ;
and if anything remains over and beyond what will answer those occasions,
to such other Pious and Charitable uses as the Vestry and Church Wardens
of such Parish shal find most requisite in their Discretion ; and that the
I70I.J 48
Several Vestrymen of each respective Parish may not be discouraged to look
after anything, that by any means as aforesaid becomes the Parish right and
due ; Be it Enacted by the authority, advice, and Consent aforesaid, that in
any Action by them commenced in the name of a Vestry and for the Benefit
of the Parishes aforesaid, they shal not be Obliged to pay any Fees or Cost of
Suit, to any Person or Officer, unless they recover in the same Action, nor pay
the Defendant any Cost, in Case the Vestry shal not recover, or be cast on
such Tryal, and that the Major part of the Members of every Vestry shal be
construed the Vestry, capable to proceed in any manner ; and that where
there are not or shal not be ministers in any parish, it shal and may be lawful
to the Vestry to provide some Sober and discreet Person as a Reader, and
agree with him for such Service per year, or otherwise for less time, and
allow him his payment out of the 40 per poll, what part thereof they shal
agree for, not exceeding the one half yearly of such Revenue ; and upon
such reader's taking the said Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament, Sub-
scribing the Test and Association, and procuring Lycence from his Excel-
lency the Governor, or other Person thereunto Authorized, shal and may read
Divine Service, Homilys, and other good authors of practical Divinity, at the
usual times in such Church or Chapel, and therein shal Demean himself accord-
ing to the Liturgy of the Church of England, as aforesaid.
Lastly, it is Ordain'd and Enacted by the authority. Advice, and Consent
aforesaid, that the several Fines and Forfeitures that shal happen by the
Tenor of this Act, shal be recovered by Action of Debt in his Majestie's
Name, His Heirs or Successors, and applyed to the use of the Parish, and in
such manner as before directed in this Act ; And that one act made at a
General Assembly begun and held at the City of St. Mary's, the 10* day of
May, 1 692, Intituled an Act for the Service of Almighty God, &c. ; One other
Act made at a Sessions of Assembly, begun and held at the Port of Anna-
polis, the Eighth day of May, 1695, Intituled an Additional Act to the Act of
Religion ; one other Act made at a Session of Assembly, begun and held at
the Port of Annapolis, the 9* Day of July, 1696, Intituled an Act for the
Service of Almighty God, &c. ; and one other Act, made at a Sessions of
Assembly, begun and held at the Port of Annapolis, the 28"^ Day of June,
1699, Intituled an Act impowering the Vestrymen to assess their Parishioners
for finishing and Repairing their Parish Churches, and every part of every of
the said Laws be and are hereby Repealed and made Voyd.
49 [1701.
Observations upon the Maryland Act for the Service of
Almighty God, &'c.
Pages i and 2. The Confirming of all things Legally done by former Acts, or Acts
tending thereto, is so General as not to be well understood : And what was Legally done needs
no Confirmation.
Pagks 2 and 3. The words, Or other place of Public Worship, are so General that they may
be construed to extend, as well to the Places where any Dissenters from the Church of England
meet together for Divine Worship after their way, as to the Public Churches in that Province.
Page 4. The Governor, or Commander in Chief, is the only Person appointed by his
Majesty for this purpose : and no other Person ought to be in any manner authorized to do
the same.
Page 7. They come not thither to Contract, but to Solemnize their Mariage.
Page 8. There is not by the Law of England any Select Vestry. But by immemorial usage
a Vestry is a meeting of all the Parishioners to Consult of Parish Business, where every Person
paying Scot and Lott hath right to Vote. Yet such General Meeting of the Parishioners is
not a Corporation : and there is no reason for a Select Vestry in any Parish, but where the
Inhabitants are so numerous that the meeting of them wou'd be inconvenient.
Page 10. Body corporate, as before in Page 8.
Page ii. The word C^z^r^A wants explaining.
lb : The General Power of possessing Lands in Mortmain without Limitation is not allowed
in England.
Page 12. The word absence ought to be explained.
lb : This method excludes the Inhabitants of their Rights to Vote and consent to matters
concerning themselves ; and if a Select Vestry were to be, it is reason they shou'd be chosen
by all the Inhabitants whom they are to represent.
lb : There is none authorized to administer this Oath.
Page 13. This is to be understood in his public Capacity, not as a Private Person; for so
it wou'd be as an Oath ex Officio.
lb : Legally authorized, as before in Page 4'".
Page 14. There ought to be no Penalty to enforce an Oath ex Officio : Neither is this Oath
reasonable, because it Excludes all Quakers from the Benefits of their Solemn Affirmation which
they are allowed by the Law of England.
lb : Note, Same Method as before in Page 12.
I70I.J 5o
Page 20. The minister being before [in Page 14] made principal of each Vestry, this
Clause gives the Minister a Power to be vexatious; And it is contrary to His Majestie's
Instructions to the Governor of Maryland [Page 274], That the Minister should be the only
Person Empowered to Summon a Vestry.
Pages 21 & 22. This Power is contrary to the Law and Practice of England. For by the
Law of England the Minister chooses one Church Warden, and the Parishioners the other r
But by Custom in some Parishes the Parishioners have the choice of both.
Page 22. Qucere, What are the usual Oaths ?
Page 23. This is contrary to the Law of England, where persons chosen Church-wardens
have liberty to put in Deputies, and 'tis a breach into the ToUeration Act in England.
Page 27. Legally authorized, as before, page 4.
lb : This may be contrary to the Intention of the Donors, who have given Mony or Lands
with particular Limitations.
Page 28. What is meant by other Parochial charges ?
Page 29. This is contrary to Law, and unreasonable; ffor, thereby the Vestry will be
encouraged to be Vexatious. [Pa: 30 & 31. Reader. Q : How is this to be executed?]
Page 30. Authorized, as before, page 4.
Pages 31 and 32. Note, that the Act past the lo"" of May, 1692, was disallow'd by His
Majesty the 4"" of January, 1695. And an other Act made the p"" of July, 1696, was
disapproved by His Majesty the 30"" of November, 1699, and therefore ought not to have
been repealed by this Act, as if his Majestie's disallowance of them had riot been Sufficient.
JVote, also. It is an Instruction to Governors not to re-enact Laws disapproved by the King,
because by that means they defeat His Majestie's Intent in such disallowance, and at the
rebound attain their own ends : Thus it has happened in this very Case, where this Act has for
above 8 years been constantly put in Execution, tho' it has been as constantly disallowed : And
it is computed that in this manner there has been above 30,000 pounds levied upon it which
ought not to have been.
Upon the whole :
JVote, That by an Act Entituled An Act concerning Religion, passed by the Lord Proprietor
of Maryland, the 6* of August, 1650, It is provided that no person professing to believe in jFesus
Christ shal be troubled or Molested For or in respect of His Religion, or the free Exercise thereof
(some Persons for Blasphemy and the like excepted), upon which Liberty the Planters have
been greatly encouraged to Settle and Improve that Country ; And Several of them Complain
that this Act is Directly contrary to that other, which they account One of their most Fun-
damental, and was their first Law.
51 [i7oi.
Z)''. Bray's Memorial, shewing the Necessity of one to superin-
tend the Church and Clergy in Maryland, with a Proposal
relating to his Support, and an account also how far the
latter is advanced.
The Province of Maryland, since the Government thereof has been vested
in the Crown, having very much increased in its Inhabitants, and the Clergy
thereof also being become, since Parishes have been set out, and Churches
built & endow'd, considerable in Number, And there being withall so many
Popish Priests therein, who are watchful in taking all advantages through
their misbehaviour or neglect (should any thing of that nature happen) to
pervert the People : It becomes now highly necessary that some one should
be appointed to Preside over therh, and under such a character as shall be
thought proper, and with such support as may the better enable him to have
some Authority amongst them, & frequently to visit them & all the Parts of
the Province.
The Province itself is greatly desirous of having a Person under such
character amongst them, and towards his support hath done what in them
lay, to have the Judicial Office of Commissary, which has the Cognizance of
Testamentary Causes, annext to that of the Lord Bishop of London ; which
Judicial Office, as they conceive it, will be best vested in some Ecclesiastical
person, and so it would go a great way towards raising a support for one to
exercise Jurisdiction over the Church and Clergy. But that favour is not yet
obtained from the Crown ; however, upon due application it is humbly
promis'd it will be easily granted, & with the full profits will be worth ^300
f Ann.
If this should be granted to compleat the encouragem', it would be so
requisite to Induce a Person of desert to leave his Native Country & go so
far, but more especially to enable him to do good in a Station where no mean
things will be expected from him, & in which, should he be wanting, little
good can be done by him, & where his business withall will be found of a vast
extent ; To compleat, I say, a due encouragement for one in that Station, it
will be farther requisite that a Seat or Plantation should be provided for him,
so stock'd as to give a considerable addition to his income amongst them.
I70I.] 52
It is computed that 5CX) Acres of good land, with 20 Negroes, and a Stock
of Cattle Settled upon it, may raise yearly, in Tobacco and other Com-
modities, to the value of 300 ^ Ann., w'='' 500 Acres will cost 500, the
Negroes also and Stock, 600, & Tobacco houses, and such like buildings, 100
more. The whole, 1 500.
It is not to be expected the Country of itself should make this provision,
the Inhabitants having already been at considerable charges in building their
. Churches, besides the yearly paym'= allotted to the Parochial Ministers, Nor
'^ will they be permitted to pursue their good inclinations to make such
provisions for some one to provide over the Clergy, the Quakers' opposition
to the Settlement of a Church in that Province being so great that they are
scarce able to preserve the Parochial Ministers amongst them, and the
maintenance they have setled by Law upon them.
Upon all the foregoing considerations, It is humbly propos'd to such
hon*"^ & worthy persons as are Zealous for God's Glory, and the prosperity
and welfare of the Church of England, to subscribe amongst them the fore-
mentioned Sum, to be laid out to the purpose aforesaid.
N. This proposal has met with such encouragement that some subscrip-
tions have been already made towards the design, & others are promised if
it goes on ; and upon confidence thereof my Lord Baltemore has been treated
with for 500 Acres of land, lying in his best Manor in Arundel County, in
Maryland, & ^500, the purchase money for the same, is, according to the
Articles agreed upon betwixt his Lordship and myself, with the approbation
of my Lord Bishop of London, to be paid to the Lord Baltemore forthwith,
after the return of the Survey from Maryland, which is come by the last
Shipping. By letters lately rec'd I am informed that y* purchase is look'd
upon in Maryland to be so good a one as to be worth one hundred pounds
more than is to be given for the same.
Mem\
The Amount of Subscriptions annexed by D^ Bray to this Memorial is
Three hundred & Fifty Seven pounds Ten Shil^^
53 [1L703.
Rev. M\ NICOLS to M". STUBS.
Chester in Pennsylvania, 20 March, 170'.
Rev° Sir,
I lay hold on the first opportunity (as I know myself in duty bound) of
notifying to you my arrival to this country. Wee had a tedious voyage, &
so dangerous too, that, altho' by God's protection wee and most of the Fleet
are safely arrived, yet the Commodore, which was the biggest Fourth rate ship
in England, & had on board it a great many passengers, particularly CoP
Seymour, who is sent by her Majesty to be Governoar of Maryland, in the
Room of Col' Blackston, was forced to bear away to the W. Indies. Here I
mett with M". Keith, toiling and Labouring with the Quakers. I find what
was reported of him in England to be very true (viz.), that he has brought a
great many over to the Church, & truly I rejoiced to see such a number of
sincere and good Christians as I found in Philadelphia, who are certainly so if
good moralls be any indication of their Faith. They are no ways inclined to
any other communion than that of the Church of England, in which they
have approved themselves sound members by a constant attendance att the
times of prayer, a grave and serious attention to their minister's instructions,
their willingness in bringing their children to be catechised, & their own
frequent participation of the Lord's Supper. It is a great happiness (consid-
ering the Loud clamours that are raised against the American clergy) that,
in this town above all others, there is such a one as has acquitted himself a
faithfuU & well qualify'd minister, in spite of the nicest scrutiny that a bad
cause & malice could make to defraud him. I mean one M^ Evan Evans,
formerly of Brasen Nose College ; he is a credit both to his Church and
country, which thing gives me occasion to represent to you how treacherous
our own countrymen have been in deserting their Mother Church. They
have the character of a most industrious people, and it is supposed that their
simplicity suffered them to be led away. We nevertheless do not despair of
reducing them, because they themselves confess that it was for a minister which
made them go any where to hear the Word of God, and thereby were quickly
seduced. We have appointed a meeting with them about 5 miles off this place,
where M'. Keith is to deliver his persuasions to them before his departure,
which M^ Evans will interpret to as many as do not understand him. It is
1703-] 54
my hard hap to be surrounded with them. I lament my unskilfullness in
the language, and only fear that I cannot persuade them to be so patient as
to bear till I can be master of so much that I may express myself to them
indifferently ; for preaching is here looked upon to be the most necessary
part of Divine Service, and though I can read the prayers in Welsh, yet I find
I shall not profit unless I can speak also from the pulpit in the same tongue.
I see a great deal of pains and trouble before me, & am so placed that the
eyes of all are upon me to watch every failing, if so be they can catch hold of
Infirmities. As to passion and anger, to provoke w'"'' is the constant
endeavours of the Quakers, or else to immorality, they will be sure to expose
it with advantage. I trust that God will strengthen me, both to look to
myself, and also in my endeavours to instruct others in the knowledge of the
Christian religion. I humbly beg the benefit of your prayers & counsle, &
any other assistances which you can contribute to repair those deficiencies
which I confess, and you are very sensible I labor under. Our new Gov' is
very much approved as yet. He has a Difficult work on't. Quakers and
Churchmen hope that each of them have the best Interest in him. It is
impossible to please both ; he cannot well trim. He has given me all the
assurances of his Favor that I could expect ; but we cannot prove his affec-
tions till once he begins to constitute magistrates, w'^'' he has defer'd to do, till
further advice from England.
M'. Keith has a letter of thanks from the Parishioners of note in this
county to the Honorable Society for their generous contribution towards my
supply, & because. Dear Sir, I have sufficiently experienced your goodness,
I dare open my whole concern & fear, & that is this : I mett with one M'.
Sharp of Maryland, one who has been sent about 3 years since. He told me
that D"". Bray was his Friend, and provided a support for him from that
Honorable Body, but it seems it was his ill fortune to quarrell with D^ Bray
since w"** time he has never received one penny but the first ;^5o. He has
left Maryland, and thinks to settle in this province, or else in Burlington, in E.
Jersey. It is a miserable thing if we, that are so remote, stand precarious
to one member's Displeasure. I could relate to you the most surprising
storyes that I have had too sure occasion to believe concerning D"". Bray,
of his deportment towards the principall benefactor our Church has in this
Country, Col' Nicholson, Gov' of Virginia. You have undoubtedly heard
enough already, but you must expect to hear a great deal more.
55. [i704-
D\ BRAT to the Secretary.
Sheldon, March 24*^ 170J.
Sir,
I rec^ yours of the 1 7"' instant, together with the Minutes of the Society,
wherein I find it is expected from me to give the reason why ^50, being the
last payment due to M^ Tibbs, a Missionary in Maryland, should not fall upon
me to make good, but rather (with all submission I speak it), upon the Vener-
able Society. In order to give the full and clear satisfaction in which that you
desire, I must proceed to inform you as follows :
First, that in my great struggle with the Quakers in Maryland, when I was
Soliciting the Members of Assembly to Re-enact the Law for the Establish-
ment of that Church, after that the Quakers had obtained an Order of Council
at home to annul it, I was answered by several of the Members that the
Establishment of their Church would signify nothing to them, since their
Parishes turning out but little Tobacco, no Ministers would come to 'em. And
therefore, to make such persons Friends to the Bill, was for it to promise them
that I would make it as my first Care to have their parishes supply'd, so to
have some support for them made from England, And I have all the reason
in the world to believe it was a necessary promise, and that it had its share in
producing the great Effect, the Re-enacting of that Law which, by the by, I
crave leave to suggest was no easy matter to obtain, considering not only the
joint Interest made by the Roman Catholics ag' it, but that it is contrary to the
R. Instructions to pass any Bill to w'='' the R. Assent had been before refused,
and this had twice before undergone that fate.
Secondly, I am next to remark that, after my return from Maryland,
finding the Law which I brought over for the Establishment of that Church
could not be approved here, as then formed, through the Reiterated opposi-
tion of the Quakers, and that we must again depend upon the Good humour
of the Maryland Assembly to have another pass"* according to the Instructions
sent from hence, I found it necessary to obviate any others obstructing the
Bill I was sending home to be pass"^ in their next Assembly, to send in
together w"" it as many Missionarys as possible, according to the desire of
several parishes, and some of them to be supported with Allowance from
1704.] 56
home. This, that I might be as good as my promise to them. Now especiall
that we were again to depend upon them, and that we had reason to fear this
last Effort of the Quakers would not be the least.
Thirdly, the Missionaries I sent on that occasion, together with the New
Bill, were in all six. Three whereof, and M'. Tibbs, one of them with allow-
ance from hence, w''^ tho' I had not actually Subscribed to me for all of them
at that time, yet had good reason to expect 'twould soon be made good, from
the good relish I found my memorial relating to Missionarys to have with a
great many persons.
Fourthly, in no long time after their Departure I must confess sufficient
Subscriptions were made to Support my Missions. But when I had sued out
the Charter, several of the Subscriptions made to me were paid into the
Corporation, amongst w'='' that of his Grace of Canterbury for one. And also
those promised from M'. Vaughan of Cardiganshire, if I mistake not the
County, for I have not all my Papers by me. By w''^ and the non-payment
of several who had promised, the Stock w'^'' I had being much more than
Exhausted, I am sadly out of Pocket, But my Comfort is, I have persons of
character for the greatest honour and Religion, upon whose Equity I am to
depend. And to that I refer the present Case.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant, &c.,
THQs BRAY.
57 [1704.
A Memorial^ giving a true and Just account of the affair
of the Commissary of Maryland, with respect to which
the New Governor, Col' SETMO UR, has made so great
Complaints of his ill usage by me. And on that occasion
has taken the liberty to traduce me, not only amongst his
own acquaintance, merchants^ and others ; but, both by
word and writing, to my own best friends in Town &'
Country, and continues still to pursue me with an
unaccountable outrage.
I. Soon after my return from Maryland, which was in the month of
Aug', 1 700, I represented to my Lord of London the great necessity there
would be that his Lordship should forthwith send a Commissary to preside
over the Clergy of that province, if it were but to prevent their falling into
any disorders, which may be very fatal in Maryland, especially because of the
great number of Popish Priests, & the virulency of the Quakers there, who
so narrowly watch our Missionaries' Haltings, & are so against, not only to
agravate their miscarriages, but to make the worst uses of them. And his
Lordship was easily persuaded of such necessity, could the design be
rendered practicable ; only he was not willing I should wholly quit my
relation to that Church ; and that therefore some one should rather be
deputed by me than go with a commission immediately from his Lordship.
II. That which seemed to render the design impracticable, either of
sending of a commissary with full power, or a surrogate under him, was the
total want of means to support one with either character. The Governor
and Assembly of Maryland had, indeed, in the years '94 & '95, after they had
set out Parishes, and established a maintenance for Parochial Ministers ; they
did also, I say, with great alacrity take proper measures, as they thought, to
support one to preside over them. And to that purpose they passed an Act,
vesting the office of Judge in Testamentary causes, upon such Ecclesiastical
Person as the said L"^ Bishop of London for the time being should commis-
1704.] 58
sionate under him. Upon which that office, computed at ;^300 per annum,
was proposed to me, and upon that encouragement I undertook the charge ;
but, to my no less surprise than loss, when I went to Maryland to enjoy it, I
found myself disappointed by an Intrigue, equally mysterious as the annulling
the Law for the Establishment of Parochial Clergy, so that no benefit is like
to come to any Churchman by that offipe, tho' the Country, I am sure, did
very much desire it, as supposing the administration of Justice from a clergy-
man would redound to their own benefit, in a Court upon whose Justice does
depend the Estates of all the orphans and widows of that country.
III. Despairing, therefore, of any means that could be thought of at pres-
ent to support a Commissary, In the year 1701 I sent a Deputation to three
of the gravest and prudehtest Divines I knew in Maryland, empowering them
to hold visitations, and to see the execution of those good resolutions which,
I bless God, I had brought all the Clergy into at my own visitation. But they,
whether that they found that their Brethren on the same level with themselves
would not easily submit to anything like superiority in them, or from other
reasons, never thought fit to act, as I can learn.
IV. Notwithstanding this and many other discouragements, being animated
with a more than ordinary Zeal for the good and prosperity of that Church
and Province particularly, I projected a way to have the Commissary, or who-
soever should be sent to preside over the Clergy there, supported by having
a plantation bought and stocked, so as to raise him a sufficient maintenance.
But tho' I had proceeded in that a considerable way, and that to my own very
great expence, both of time and money, yet meeting with many difficulties
therein, I was forced to drop that design also ; as also another which I had
again laid for the same purpose, which was to bring in a Bill in Parliament, by
virtue whereof sufficient Provision can be made even for a Bishop Suffi-agan,
if the superior powers shall please to send such, and that without a farthing
charge to either Prince or People.
V. In the year 1 701-2 I received an account from Maryland that one Holt,
a scandalous and enormous wretch, who had been lately deprived of his Living
in Virginia by M'. Blair, because of his Adulterys, Drunkeness, and fightings,
was come into Maryland & placed in one of the best Parishes, and in posses-
sion of the second Library in the Province. Upon which advice I did again
lay before my Lord of London the most pressing necessity there was of
sending a Commissary there, and that he should have the Power of Induction
59 [1704.
vested in him, the right of Presentation remaining in the Governor. Such
check, I represented, in the Commissary, would be some security to the
Church, in keeping out wicked men, whereas, when once in possession, it
would be difficult to remove them. His Lordship was very desirous to have
a Commissary sent, and ordered me to enquire out a proper person, & also
to consider whether there were any thing in the Crown unappropriated in
that Province, which he might ask of the Queen for his support. But I could
not inform myself of any thing of that kind to be asked, the penny ^ pound
on the side trade being already granted for the Endowment of the College of
Virginia. But,
VI. As to a person every way qualified to be his Lordship's Commissary^
I did at length meet with one ; and it was the Rev** M'. Michael Huitson,
Arch Deacon of Armagh in Ireland, a person of as clear a character from
others as ever I met with, and, to my own knowledge, of excellent piety and
exemplary Life, of a prudent conduct and grave deportment. This person,
out of pure Zeal to the work of propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts,
was very willing to bestow himself upon that service, & I proposed him to
my Lord of London, who, when he was satisfied of his Qualifications as
aforesaid, did readily accept him; and it remained only to find out how to
support him. And there being no other way that could be thought of, his
Lordship proposed to present him to the Gov^ and to desire him that, since
the office of Judge in Testamentary Causes is an office of an Ecclesiastical
nature; an office that the Country have desired might be vested in an
Ecclesiastical person, & more particularly in the Bishop of London's Com-
missary for his support; and since it is an office that He, the Governor,
could not execute himself, being that appeals lie from that Court to himself,
as Chancellor, or at leastwise to himself in Council ; an office, too, that must
be bestowed on some one, his Lordship did therefore intend to propose it
to the Governor to give him his Commission to be Judge in Testamentary
Causes.
VII. His Lordship, being thus resolved, ordered me to bring M". Huitson
on a certain day to dine with him, and CoF Seymour having, about the same
time, desired me to let him know when I should next dine at Fulham, and he
would go along with me, I did accordingly acquaint him on what Day I was
to dine with my Lord, thinking it might be most proper for my Lord to
propose the matter to the Gov"^, when he should see the person he designed
1 704.] 60
for his Commissary (The very Gravity of the Gentleman being such as might
in a great measure recommend him), and that it would be proper by that
means to bring them first acquainted ; and, to let the Gov' have the greater
freedom to make an objection. M', Huitson and myself immediately after
dinner withdrew, leaving the Governor with a friend of his and my Lord
alone.
VIII. M'. Huitson and myself being withdrawn, my Lord, it seems, did
take that opportunity to let Gov' Seymour know that he designed to make
the person that came along with him and me, to be his Commissary, and that
he hoped he would be agreeable to him. And, I suppose, did also desire that
he might have his Commission to be Judge in Testamentary Causes, as a
means for his support. I know not in what manner the Governor received
the motion from my Lord, but scarce was he parted from him, and we entered
into the Coach, but he fell upon me with the greatest fury, and on M'. Huitson
with as great Indignity.
IX. The Reproaches he has been pleased to load me with, all upon that
occasion, both in the Coach and since, are: i". That I did not acquaint him
in the first place of the person, and of the design to have him made the Com-
missary. 2""^. He said the Bishop of London spake of the person to him
as one that he supposed him, the Gov", to have been acquainted with before,
and of the design to have him the Commissary. 3''^ That this, therefore,
was a trick, a cheat of mine, and such an Indignity, Injury, & what not, that
did not I wear a Gown he would have satisfaction of me with his sword. I
will make my defence as to each particular of this high charge, forsooth, and
will then offer something at the Reasons, and to open the mystery why such
resentment is to be expressed upon this matter.
And, in the first article, that I did not acquaint his Excellency in the first
place, both of the person and the design to have this M'. Arch Deacon made
the Commissary, I answer, first : that I did then, and still do think it had been
very preposterous for me to have presented him to the Governor before the
Bishop of London, the Commissary being the Bishop's officer, and to take
his commission from his Lordship. But, 2""*'^, I have a better reason than that,
and it was therefore that I thought it not fit for me to acquaint his Excellency
with the matter, but leave it to my Lord to do it, because I knew even my
Lord's authority would be little enough to carry a point so resolved against ;
and that my small interest in him would be i o times too little.
6i [1704.
But, secondly, he says that my Lord of London spake of the person to
him as of one that he supposed him, the Gov', to have been acquainted with
all before, and of the design to have him the Commissary. This he insisted
upon much in the Coach, and as to this I then answered (and the Gentleman
in the Coach with him, who was his friend, thought it satisfactory, and would
therewith have appeased him), I told him that it was very likely that my Lord
might be induced to suppose some such acquaintance, because his Lordship
did know we came in as one company, and saw us all together. And now,
Thirdly, he says this was a trick, a cheat of mine, and such an Injury,
Vilany, and what not, that did I not wear a Gown, he would have satisfaction
of me with his sword. It is well that we have such an asylum as the Gown ;
or rather, it is well for some, that upon that score they may so safely Bounce,
& hector, and menace a certain Order of men as they please, without danger
of return ; which, if Chevaliers as well as themselves, I believe they would
be more cautious of that sort of treatment. But to the business of Trick
and Cheat.
If it be a trick and cheat to recommend a Commissary to him that is to
give him the Commission, or a trick and cheat to take all the honest and wise
precautions to have a point carried, on which I think the greatest good to a
whole Church and country does depend, and to attain which I have so long
endeavoured, and by various means, as appears by the aforesaid narrative ;
If this, I say, be a Trick & Cheat, I shall readily own the Imputation. But if
he means by a cheat any Interest I have proposed to myself in getting M"'.
Archdeacon Huitson made Commissary of Maryland, I can with all sincerity
assure him the cheat would have been only put upon myself and family, had
it succeeded ; even just such a cheat as I have been often heretofore guilty
of to myself and family, I say, for the sake of that Church and province ; that
is, to put myself to considerable charges for their service, for truly, had M'.
Archdeacon gone, besides the considerable accession of Books that I should
have presented by his hand to all their Libraries, I did design some present
to himself, that would have been no small charge to me, and of great service
and encouragement to him, as he himself does partly know, and I dare say
will own.
And now, it may well be enquired what can be the reason of this Oppo-
sition to the having some grave Ecclesiastical person to preside over the
Clergy in that Province, to regulate their manners, and to direct them to their
1 704.J 62
dutys. I profess I never gave the Governor any provocation, except what I
have related can be called a Provocation, which equal Judges will, I hope,
rather esteem a matter of praise in me, that I struggled so hard and so long
for a public good, than of Blame : what, you will say then, can be the reason
that this Gentleman should, after 2 months' railing at me whilst he remained
in town, still pursue me with that revenge, as to compel and corrupt a young
Divine that I had sent in the Fleet with him for Maryland, to forge a wicked
Calumny against me, in order to blacken my character thereby, as he termed
it, & then to labor as he did the dispersing of it ? And after that the Notice
of it came so providentially and timely to my knowledge, that I did imme-
diately refute it to his own & their disappointment and confusion that were
concerned in it, in so much that he thought fit to deny his compelling of
Waggoner to raise the Calumny, and when the Gentleman who was his
Agent did thereupon, in order to our better understanding, persuade me to
write him a letter, wherein I owned myself satisfied upon his word as a Gen-
tleman (tho' since, I am thoroughly satisfied that he did compel the young
man to belie his conscience), what can be the reason that, at the same time
he amused us with so soft a letter, he should write so bitterly, as I understand
he has done, to my Lords of Canterbury and London ; to such Lords also as
he knew had a favor for me, even into the country; and as I have great
reason to believe, wherever else, both in town and country, he thought it
might be of use to do me a mischief? What can be the reason of this ? I
have before declared that I never gave him any provocation than what it may
be supposed to be given with relation to the Commissary. That, therefore,
must be the reason, and that [it] is with him a considerable reason may appear
hence, that tho' he told my Lord of London he would admit any Commissary
his Lordship should appoint, except that Irishman, as he reproachfully calls
him, whom he said he could not endure for the sake of his country ; yet he
has been often, after such profession, heard to swear that there should no
Commissary Come into his Government. There must be, therefore, some
great mystery in this Opposition to the having some Ecclesiastical person of
Probity, experience, and Gravity in his province, to preside over the Clergy
there, in order to preserve them from giving scandal to the Papists &
Quakers, to introduce a good discipline amongst them, to direct them in, &
to keep them up to their Duty? A mystery of Godliness I am sure it is
none ; and since such a mystery it is, as must expose that poor Infant Church,.
63 [i7ii-
after so much cost and care to nurse it up hitherto, to the Rage and reproach
of its bitter Enemies, I trust in God those whose concern it is will be able to
disclose and defeat it, and even yet to preserve that poor Church : and with
such I leave it. As for my own part, I have fought my fight ; I have finished
my course.
THOMAS BRAY.
M'-. j4DAMS to the Bishop of London.
(EXTRACT.)
Stepney Parish, Somerset County, Maryland,
2^ Jtily, 171 1.
My Lord,
My person should have prevented my writing, if the Majus Conum Eccle-
siae had not swayed. For these four years I alone have served, as a Presby-
ter of the Church of England, the whole County of Somerset, consisting of
four parishes, so that six Congregations are supplied by me, which obliges
me to travel 200 miles per month, besides my pastoral charge in my own
parish (Stepney), which has a church and chapel, and is near 30 miles in
length, and some 16 or 18 miles in breadth, which possibly is a labour that few
in America undergo ; yet, my Lord, I can't subsist without some assistance,
for Tobacco, our money, is worth nothing, and not one Shirt to be had for
Tobacco this year in all our County ; and poor ten shillings is all the money
I have received by my Ministry and perquisites since October last.
I humbly desire your Lordship to send me in a Letter to be chaplain to
some man-of-war that comes to convey the Virginia Fleet next year, and after
I have got some money by being chaplain aboard to pay my Debts (which are
not very considerable as yet), I assure your Lordship I am resolved to return
to my Parish so soon as times amend, and I can con>fortably subsist among
them. I'm confident, and firmly depend upon your Lordship's extending to
me your usual kindness and tenderness and care to your Clergy, which will
greatly encourage Yours, &c.,
ALEX'^ ADAMS.
171 2.] 64
M\ ADAMS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Stepney Parish in Somers Co'', Maryland,
2°"' July, 1 711.
These four years my encouragement was so scanty that I must leave the
County if not supplied by the Hon'ble Society speedily. I request, Sir, to
press the condition of the Church here, for it looses daily by the want of
Ministering on our part, & the careful supply by Dissenting, i. e., Presbyterian
preachers on the other side.
Yours, &"=.,
ALEX^ ADAMS.
The Case of Sir Thomas haurence, Bart., Secretary of Her
Majesty's Province of Maryland.
While the sole propriety and Government of the province of Maryland
was in the Lord Baltimore, the Secretary of that Province, amqng other
perquisites, had the Naval Officers' fees for entering and clearing of ships,
which the said Lord thought fit to take to himself, & in Exchange gave to
the Secretary certain fees payable by the Keepers of Ordinaries, or Public
Houses of Entertainment, on their receiving Licenses for keeping such Houses.
When the late King William and Queen Mary, with the consent of the Lord
Baltimore, were pleased to take that Government under their immediate care
and protection, their Majesties appointed Colonel Copley Governor thereof,,
and Sir Thomas Laurence was made Secretary, by patent bearing date the
5* day of September, in the third year of their reign. To hold that office,
during their Majesties' pleasure and his residence in that province, with all
65 [1712.
rights, privileges, profits, perquisites, and advantages thereto belonging,
incident, or appertaining ; by which Grant the said Sir Thomas Laurence
•was undoubtedly entituled to the benefit of the said Ordinary Licenses.
Colonel Copley arriving in his Government before Sir Thomas Laurence,
got an Act of Assembly passed, in May, 1692, whereby the benefit of the said
Ordinary Licenses was granted to himself; and not contented with this injus-
tice, laid a further hardship upon the Secretary's Office in depriving it, by his
Order in Council, of all the Chancery ffees to a considerable value. Sir
Thomas Laurence coming to Maryland in September following, and finding
how he had been abused, sent his complaints to England, and obtained an
Order of Council, dated March 2, 1693, whereby the forementioned Act of
Assembly and Governor Copley's Order in Council were disallowed, and it
was ordered the Secretary should enjoy the full benefit of his Office, accord-
ing to his patent.
The Governor, in the meantime, highly resenting that Sir Thomas Lau-
rence should thus sue for his right, did, under feigned pretences, suspend
him from the Presidentship of the Council and the Place of Chief Justice of
the Provincial Court, and committed him to the custody of the Sheriff of S'.
Mary's County, with directions to carry him to the Sheriff of Charles County,
who was to keep him safe, and not to deliver him without an order of the
Council there, refusing to give the prisoner a Copy of his accusation, or to
allow him his Habeas Corpus, or a trial, as he desired, before the Provincial
Court. This being also complained of, another Order of Council in England
was granted in Sir Thomas Laurence his behalf, whereby the Governor was
commanded to set him at liberty, and restore him to all his Offices before
mentioned.
However, Governor Copley dying before that order came to hand. Sir
Thomas Laurence was set at liberty, but obtained no further redress till about
the time that Colonel Nicholson was made Governor of Maryland ; Then, in
obedience to the aforesaid Order of March 2, 1 69°, an Act of Assembly was
passed, granting the benefit of the Ordinary Licenses to the Secretary for
three years, which was continued by like temporary acts for 10 years, till
Colonel Seymour's being made Governor,
Colonel Seymour being preferred to that Government in the year 1703,
and having Her Majesty's leave to ask of the Assembly of that Province an
additional ^^ per Hogshead to be granted him on all Tobacco exported
I7I2.] 66
thence, he arrived there in thebeginning of the year 1704, and the Assembly-
meeting the April following, the Governor finding them disposed to deprive
the Secretary of the benefit of the Ordinary Licenses, complied therewith, to
make way for their granting the said additional 3"^ per Hogshead, and accord-
ingly passed two Acts in that Assembly, one for granting to himself the said
additional duty on Tobacco exported, the other to take the profits of Ordinary
Licenses from the Secretary, and apply them in ease of the Public Charge of
each County in which the Keepers of such Ordinaries reside.
Sir Thomas Laurence applied to the Governor, and produced to him the
order of Council above mentioned of March 2, 1693, ^"* finding that far from
hearkening to his representations he concurred with the Assembly again, in
December, 1 704, to cut off half the fees of searches for titles of land, and
several other of the old provincial ffees, to the value of forty pounds per
annum, never before questioned from the beginning of the Government, he
obtained leave to come to England, and made his application to Her Majesty,
by his Humble Petition presented January 2, 1704, which, being referred to
the Lords Commissioners for trade and plantations, they often wrote to the
Governor to send over that unjust law concerning the Ordinary Licences, with
his reasons for passing the same, which, notwithstanding their repeated Letters
to that purpose, was delayed till October, 1 707, whereby the Governor has
actually brought upon the Secretary a Loss of ;^8oo of five years' profits of
his office, by a just and moderate computation, besides the expence of a
voyage to England, and that of above five years' attendance in the prosecu-
tion of this affair.
The Lords Commissioners having at last, after nigh three years' delay,
received this Act of Assembly, referred the same, with Sir Thomas Laurence
his petition, to M'. Attorney-General, who made his report that the said Law
was derogatory to Her Majesty's Royal Prerogative in taking away from the
Secretary, who is a patent officer of the Crown, his just rights, without Her
Majesty's consent first obtained, and that the Secretary ought to have the
benefit of the Ordinary Licences, and that the granting such licenses there by
the Justices of each County having been found for many years to be of great
convenience, there seems to be no reason why the said Act should be made
temporary from three years to three years only, and it might be proper for
their Lordships to represent it to be for Her Majesty's Service, and at the
next Assembly the Act should be made perpetual, or at least for a much
67 [1712.
longer duration than it had hitherto been made, and the benefit of the
Licenses appHed to the use of the Secretary for the time being.
The Lords Commissioners concurring in this Report, and laying the same
before Her Majesty, who, by Her Order in Council, dated January 8, 170^,
was pleased to approve thereof, Her Majesty was graciously pleased, by her
Letter bearing date the is'*" of that month, to lay her express commands
upon the Governor to comply therewith.
But the Governor, instead of obeying these Her Majesty's Commands,
has permitted, if not encouraged, the Assembly sitting in December, 1708, to
frame an address to Her Majesty, wherein they have the confidence to tell
Her Majesty that Her Commands are unjust, and that they were satisfied the
Secretary had no right to those ordinary licences, and at the same time to
make an Ordinance by themselves without the Governor, wherein they statute
and ordain (their last act for Ordinary Licenses being expired) that no person
whatever shall, until Her Majesty's pleasure be further known, presume to
keep Ordinaries, or vend any Liquors in their Houses and Plantations by
Retail, without license from the Justices of the County Courts, whom they
empower to grant the same, and to take security of the Ordinary Keepers
for their observing such rules as they shall think fit, and to settle the rates of
Liquors arbitrarily, requiring all Ordinary Keepers to take notice of this their
Ordinance, on pain of being severely prosecuted for their Contempt, and
incurring the Displeasure of the Assembly.
Their address above mentioned has not yet been sent nor presented to
Her Majesty, after the return of the two fleets, according to their usual
method of delaying to send over such acts as they think will not be approved,
which yet take place with them till they are certified of the Disallowance of
them in England, and by that nieans they secure to themselves the continu-
ance of their oppression for some time at least. But Sir Thomas Laurence
having got a Copy of it begs leave to observe that they assert therein that an
Act being made Anno 1678, to grant to the Lord Baltimore the benefit of
Ordinary Licenses, he out of his especial favor to his Secretaries (they being
his relations) gave it to them, which is a false insinuation, since it was not out
of favor, but in Exchange for the Naval Officers' fees, of which the Secretaries
had been in possession, by Act of Assembly, ever since the year 1662, and
had for several years received the benefit of the Ordinary Licenses, by virtue
of that Exchange, before their late Majesties took the Government into their
1 71 2.] 68
Heads, as was proved by Sir Thomas Laurence in his petition, upon which
the aforesaid Order in Council of March 2, 169=, was granted, and Sir
Thomas Laurence restored to the possession of the said Ordinary Licenses
to which he was entituled by the words of his Patent. They arraign the
Justice of His late Majesty's Order in Council of March 2, 1 79^, as a judg-
ment given ex parte, but own, however, they complied with it by temporary
Laws, reserving to themselves the power of disposing of it as to themselves
should seem meet, which is a mere evasion, since the Secretary being in pos-
session of this Perquisite, let the granting of Ordinary Licenses be enacted
by what Laws soever, whether perpetual or temporary, the benefit thereof
ought to accrue to the Secretary as a Branch of his Office ; and as to their
pretence that they have not been heard, it is utterly false, for when they sent
over their law above menf^, in 1 69^, for taking away the benefit of the Ordi-
nary Licences from the Secretary, they sent over their reasons for it, which,
with the Secretary's reply, were fully considered by the Attorney General
before he made his report. But by this they let us see what regard they have
to the prerogative of the Crown, whose Patent Officers, if this practice be
allowed, will become entirely precarious, and the Crown will have no power
to grant them more than empty titles, without authority to act in their places
or demand their fees, since the Assemblies, by their temporary Laws, may
regulate their Offices and their allowances as they shall think fit, as they have
lately threatened to reduce the old standing fees of the Secretary's Office
yet much lower than they now are, and thus they may render even the Gov-
ernors themselves their Tools, and make themselves the sole administrators
of the Government and arbiters of every man's property, the consequences
whereof are easily apprehended, and by some late instances made but too
evident. And these are the fruits of Colonel Seymour's conduct in giving
up the prerogative for the sake of his own private gain. And thus much shall
sufifice, as to what relates to Sir Thomas Laurence his Ofifice of Secretary of
Maryland.
We come now to speak of the personal hardships and Injustice Sir
Thomas Laurence has suffered from the Gov'. In the year 1704 a Bond of
One hundred and twenty pounds, with interest, due from Sir Thomas
Laurence, being put into the hands of M'. William Bladen, Clerk of the
Council and appointed Attorney of the Creditor, he accordingly demanded
the same of Sir Thomas Laurence, who did, in the Governor's presence,.
69 {.^7^^-
without suit offer an Assignment of Sheriff's Bonds due to him for the fees
of his Office, and of other debts unquestionable and stated, amounting to
119,834 ft) of Tobacco, of the value of above ^400 Sterling to the said M'.
Bladen, as a Security for this debt, to be sold forthwith for the payment
thereof, which is the only way of payment in Maryland, where little money
is current, which he refused to accept as such ; but, being conscious of the
Governor's intention to oppress Sir Thomas Laurence, obliged him, in the
Governor's presence, to assign over to himself, besides the said arrear, half
of the growing profits of his whole Office for the security of the said debt,
which, how hard and unjust soever, was complied with ; the Governor, who
ought to have interposed, encouraging and countenancing the oppression ;
and the assignment was accordingly executed, in May, 1 704, by Sir Thomas
Laurence, M^ William Dent, his Attorney, and M'. Bladen, Attorney for the
Creditor.
But no sooner was M'. Dent, Sir Thomas Laurence his attorney, gone
home, above eighty miles from Annapolis, but M". Bladen pretended he was
surprised into this Agreement, though drawn and signed by himself, for that,
beside the great arrear above mentioned, he intended to have the profits of
Sir Thomas Laurence's whole Office assigned over to him for payment of the
said debt. This insolent demand was referred to the Governor, who was
present at the first agreement, and an Arbitrator in it, who, to the amazement
& confusion of Sir Thomas Laurence, decP that he understood that not only
the above mentioned arrear of four hundred pounds value, but also the grow-
ing profits of the Secretary's whole Office ought to have been so made over,
and compelled Sir Thomas Laurence to sign such a new agreement to that
purpose as M'. Bladen himself should draw up, who threatened him with a writ
JVe exeat Provincia if he did not comply, and so he was forced to submit to
this unheard of piece of Injustice and oppression, and executed this new
Agreement the same month of May, 1 704.
Having at this time, as is before related, resolved to come for England^
and obtained Her Majesty's gracious licence for that purpose, and also the
Governor's in Council, he embarked in the beginning of June, 1704, having
appointed M'. Dent for Attorney, and left in his hands all his securities, with
powers to receive all the profits of his Office, and to sell the forementioned
arrear forthwith to discharge the said debt. M"^. Dent dying in four or five
months after his departure, M"". Bladen being Clerk of the Council and
1 71 2.] 70
Attorney for the Creditor, and who received Sir Thomas Laurence for the
hire of a Servant of his as an assistant to the Clerk of the Provincial Court,
1 2,000 Bb of Tobacco yearly, upon his own motion obtained an Order from the
Governor in Council in December, 1704, which he drew up himself, whereby,
under pretence of paying the salaries of the Clerks of the Office, he put him-
self in possession of Sir Thomas Laurence's whole Estate, without any pro-
cess at Law or judgment of the Provincial Court, though he well knew that
the Governor and Council are no Court of Justice but upon appeals from the
Provincial Court ; and being so possessed of the whole Office, refused to give
place to the Letters of Attorney which Sir Thomas Laurence, in the year fol-
lowing, 1705, sent to M''. George Plater and M'. Amos Garret, empowering
and requiring them forthwith to discharge the said debt, but kept possession
till October, 1706, when Colonel Robert Quarry, Her Majesty's Surveyor-
General of Her Customs in the North of America, being added, a third
Attorney, by the Secretary, came with new powers, and paid off the said debt,
which M'. Bladen then took in Tobacco, at Six Shillings the Hundred, which,
two years and a half before he refused to do, but received in that time what
he pleased of the best part of the Secretary's Estate, and disposed of it as he
thought fit, without taking any notice of the Secretary, or giving any account
to the Creditor, to whom now and after three years he hath not paid half of
what he then received, but hath suffered several great debts of the Secretary's
to be lost or become desperate by not suing for or demanding the same, and
several securities for great quantities of Tobacco to be embezzled, never giv-
ing the Secretary or his Attorney any account of the same, but in the mean-
time promoted and commenced several suits of Law against the Secretary
for sums of great value, and obtained Judgment against him by false Juries
(particularly in the case of Thomas Boardly, for nigh 30,000 lbs of Tobacco),
where he knew nothing was due or demandable, whilst, on the other hand,
several sheriffs (particularly M'. Vincent Hemsly, Sheriff of Talbot County,
who, by M'. Bladen, his Attorney, nonsuited the said Sir Thomas Laurence,
and forswore a debt on his account, stated of 45,000 weight of Tobacco, of
the value of about ;^i5o sterling) and other responsible persons who have
for 5 or 6 years owed the Secretary great quantities of Tobacco upon
accounts stated and Bills of Exchange often protested, either deny the debts
upon perjured oaths, or refuse to pay the same, finding the said practices
agreeable to the Governor's inclinations to ruin the Secretary, and make his
71 [1712.
Office of no value. By which means great quantities of Tobacco have been
taken away, and are detained from him, and the value of near ;^i,ooo of the
just profits of his, Office still due for the years 1703, 1704, 1705. Besides the
account of five years' benefit, of the Ordinary Licenses and other old estab-
lished fees taken away by Governor Seymour and the Assemblies in 1 704, of
the value of at least ;^8oo, more are still owing to him, of which his Attorney,
besides the debt paid to M"". Bladen, have not as yet been able to receive and
return to him above ;^ioo, and despair of recovering or receiving for him any
considerable part of that great arrear.
But, forasmuch as Colonel John Seymour, Cxovernor of Maryland, is lately
dead, and obedience cannot be well given to Her Majesty's Commands till a
new Governor be sent over with instructions for that purpose. But that M".
William Bladen, the Chief Instrument of his oppressions, is still alive in Mary-
land, who, upon the death of M"". Thomas Laurence, second son to the said Sir
Tho^ and Sec^ of Maryland, by patent from his late Majesty, in the year 1701^
having been made Secretary pro tempore by the then Gov', & recommended
to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations as very fit for that
Office, but being disappointed thereof by the return of Sir Thomas Laurence
in 1 701 with a new patent for that post, meditated revenge, and notwith-
standing that Sir Thomas had long before given him the County Clerk's place
of St. Mary's, of the yearly value of an hundred and fifty pounds a year,
which he held 3 years freely by his favor, besides several other obligations
laid on him, yet did he take the said opportunities to oblige him to leave
Maryland, and, as soon as he came home, had the confidence, by his Father,
to offer him, the said Sir Thomas, ;^300 for the resignation of his Office to
himself.
Therefore, that Her Majesty may be truly informed of the oppression and
ruin brought on the said Sir Thomas and his Office, which could not be done
without great difficulty during the life and residence of the said Colonel
Seymour in Maryland, the Secretary hath humbly prayed that Her Majesty's
Order may be sent thither, empowering and requiring Colonel Francis Nich-
olson, Colonel Robert Quarry, Surveyor-General of Her Customs in the North
America, and a member of the Council, Thomas Brooks, Esquire, late a mem-
ber of the Council, Thomas Smithson, Esq'^ late Chief Justice of the Provincial
Court, William Coursy, Esq", a member of the Council, The Rev"* M'. Henry
Hall, a Commissary to the Lord Bishop of London, Major Whittington, and
I7I4-] 72
M"'. Amos Garret, Merchants, or any four of them, whereof Colonel Nicholson
or Colonel Quarry to be one, to examine the truth of the allegations in his
petition against the said Colonel Seymour and M'. William Bladen, and all
other the Instruments of his Oppressions, that' upon due return of a true
account to Her Majesty of all the losses and sufferings sustained by the said
Sir Thomas by these long, unjust, and arbitrary proceedings of Colonel Sey-
mour and his agents, such relief may be awarded to the said Sir Thomas Lau-
rence as to Her Majesty's great wisdom and justice shall seem reasonable.
Since the printing of this Case, & upon the Lords Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations not thinking it proper to have the matter examined in
Maryland, S" Thomas, in January, 1709, again petitioned Her Majesty, which,
having been referred to the Lords Commissioners, they again reported back,
&■=., to Her Majesty the Sec''"' "ght both to the benefit of the ordinary Licenses
and the great arrear, now Of about 8 years, due for the same, and which,
having been confirmed by Her Majesty in Council, her second Royal Letter
commanding restitution of the ordinary licenses and of the profits of the same
since 1704 hath been granted, and was sent to Maryland in Nov' last, 171 2.
THOMAS LAURENCE.
Note. The last paragraph of the foregoing, beginning "Since the printing," is in the
handwriting of Sir Thomas Laurence. The residue is a printed paper. — F. L. H.
Rev. M". SKIPPON to the Right Rev' Lord Bishop of
London.
Annapolis, Jan^ I9'^ 17^^.
My Lord,
Upon your Lordship's encouragement and command, I have presumed to
acquaint you with my safe arrival here, after a tedious voyage of Eleven
weeks. I found every thing according to expectation, have had Induction
into the Parish, and am well received by all the Parishioners. Since my
coming I have constantly read the publick prayers of the Church on
11 [i7i4-
Wednesdays, Fridays, and Holidays, though hitherto have met with small
encouragement to proceed ; the number of persons sometimes scarcely
amounting to a congregation. I shall notwithstanding this persist in my
resolution, and hope to accomplish it when the weather grows warmer. I
doubt not but I shall find some difificulty in these purposes, because there
seems to be an universal disregard (a few only excepted) of holy things, I
need not give a more convincing Proof of this than the neglect of Baptism
among them & the Holy Sacrament. The former of these is so notorious,
that whole families, both parents and children, do live, and sometimes die
without it ; and indeed seem, for the most part, to take no care about it.
I have baptized, since my coming here, 1 2 children, of 2, 3, & 4 years old &
upwards, such with the mother of one of them, who had been bred up among
Quakers.
The Holy Sacrament is administered here but six times in the year, and
then the communions are but very thin ; last Christmas the whole number
did not amount to above twenty, tho' this Parish be very large. I design,
God willing, to bring them to a monthly communion, and to that end will, by
God's assistance, endeavour to convince them of the necessity of frequenting
the Holy Table.
But what gives me the greatest uneasiness is, that dissoluteness of
manners (the unavoidable consequence of the want of Discipline among us)
which has universally spread itself over the Province, of which the frequency
of Polygamy, fornication, and such like sins is a flagrant instance. These are
beyond my power to redress, and the more, because those who are guilty
despise the Checks of Conscience and Religion, and are above every consid-
eration but the Penalties of the Laws, and here there are few to enforce their
obedience.
These, my Lord, are what I can at present inform you of, and concerning
which I beg your Lordship's Directions. I recommend myself to your Lord-
ship's prayers to the Throne of Grace for me, that I may have strength from
above to enable me to discharge that important Office I have taken upon me,
so as to save my own soul and the souls of those committed to my charge.
I am, my Lord,
Y' Lordship's most
dutiful Son and most humble Serv',
SAM^ SKIPPON.
1714.] 74
^eries by the Governor to the Clergy of Maryland.
June 24'^ 1 714.
Rev° Gent^,
The following particulars, which I have for your ease reduced into
questions, are some of those things I am enjoined to enquire into, and do
accordingly desire your answer to every particular of them :
i". Is God Almighty duly served throughout the Province ? Is the Book
of Common Prayer, as by Law established, read each Sunday and Holiday ;
and the Blessed Sacrament administered according to the rites of the Church
of England ? Are there a sufficient number of churches built for that end ;
& are those that are built kept decently and orderly ? Have you all compe-
tent maintenances, and Glebe houses and Land for the exercise of your
Industry ?
2°'^'''. Is every Minister one of the Vestry of his Parish ?
3'^'"^. Is there any Minister who preaches and administers the Sacrament
in any orthodox church or chapel without being in orders ? For resolution
of which I desire to see your ministerial Letters.
4^^ Have you all a due sense of the Lord Bishop of London's Ecclesi-
astical Jurisdiction here ? and do you do all you can to promote the same ?
5''. Are there any schoolmasters within your respective Parishes that
came from England, and do preach without the Lord Bishop of London's
Licence ? or that came from other parts, and teach without a Licence from
the Gov' ?
6^^. Is there a table of marriages, established by the canons of the Church
of England, hung up in each Orthodox Church ? and is it duly observed ?
75 [1714.
f^. Is Drunkenness & Debauchery, swearing & Blasphemy, discounte-
nanced and punished ?
These particulars I am enjoined to enquire into, and for your further ease
and conveniency, if you think fit to appoint any of your number that may
more readily convene to consult affairs, they shall meet with all due
encouragement from me.
JNO. HART.
The humble Representation of the Clergy of Maryland
concerning the state of the Church in that Province^
in answer to certain Questions proposed by his Excellency
the Governor to them.
May it please your Excellency,
We, the Clergy of the Church of England in the Province of Maryland,
return your Excellency our unfeigned thanks for this signal proof of your
Excellency's Care for the Church, and, in obedience to your commands,
present you with a view of our Parishes and churches as perfect as possibly
we could ; Every one of us applying his own case to each of your Excel-
lency's Proposals ; and upon the whole we find, and according to the tenor
of Article i'':
That God Almighty is duly served throughout this Province, according to
the Book of Common Prayer, in every parish where there is an Incumbent
every Sunday, and in many every holiday. The Blessed Sacrament is
administered according to the rites of the Church of England. There are in
most Parishes a sufificient number of churches : it were to be wished the
Parishioners would take a little care to put some in better order and decency.
Glebes are various ; in some very good, in some but weak ones, and in some
none. We cannot but aver that most of our Parishes have but very bare
I7H.J 76
competency, which we are ready to make out by enumerating particulars, and
appealing to your Excellency, the Hon*"'* Council, and all the world.
We beg your Excellency's leave to add a word concerning Libraries;
that it is commonly received by many in England, and particularly the
Honorable Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, there is a
Library in every Parish, that we find by a careful computation there are
Parishes in this Province that neither have nor ever had a Library.
Art. 2"^. Every minister is principal Vestryman in his Parish.
Art. 3''''. We know of none that administers in the sacred offices of our
Church without orders, and for your Excellency's full satisfaction we are ready
to produce our Ministerial Letters. Some of us who live most remote from
this City pray your Excellency would depute any of your Honorable Council
to inspect them.
Art. 4*. We do all profess with one voice that we have a due sense of the
Lord Bishop of London's Jurisdiction here, and we will ever do all we can to
promote the same as long as it shall please God to continue him to us.
Art. 5*. The case of schools is very bad ; good schoolmasters are very
much wanting, what we have very insufficient, and of their being qualified by
the Bishop of London's or Governor's Licence, it has been entirely neglected.
Art. 6*. There is a table of Marriages in every Church, and there is a
severe Law also to prevent Incestuous Marriages.
To the 7"" and last Article, which truly we regard as of the utmost conse-
quence in Religion, we say we have and shall use our best endeavours in the
Exercise of our Functions to discountenance the sins of drunkenness,
debauchery, swearing, and Blasphemy ; and we pray Your Excellency to
enjoin the Civil Magistrates to see the wholesome Laws of this Province put
in Execution in order to suppress them more effectually. To conclude, we
hope your Excellency will not take it amiss if we add that we humbly think
the Penalties annexed to some Laws against certain sins, particularly the sin
of fornication, too light to suppress the Sin, and that your Excellency would
n
[1714.
be pleased to propose to the Hon'"'* House of Delegates that they would
seek an expedient against the damnable sin of Polygamy.
The Growth of Popery by the coming in of many Priests of late, and the
abuse the Dissenters make of the Indulgence given them by Law, we humbly
propose to your Excellency's serious consideration.
And to the last particular of your Excellency's proposals. We thankfully
embrace it, and have unanimously made choice of M'. Henry Hall, M'.
Thomas Cockshutt, M'. Joseph Colebanck, M'. Henderson, M'. Richard Sewell,
and M^ Henry NichoUs, to consult affairs.
We are your Excellency's
Most humble Servants,
Tho" Baylye,
Alexan. Williamson,
Jacob Henderson,
Rich" Sewell,
Tho^ Cockshutt,
Jonathan Cay,
John Donaldson,
Joseph Colebanck,
Henry Hall,
Jonathan White,
Henry Nicholls,
Chris. Wilkinson,
R, Owen,
Henry Jennings,
J. Eraser,
James Williamson^
Tho^ Thompson,
W" TiBBS,
Rob'' Scot,
Daniel Maynadier,
W" Machonchie.
Gov' HART to the Right Rev'' Lord Bishop of London.
Annapolis in Maryland, July Io'^ 1714.
My Lord,
I am unhappy that the first time I had the honour to be introduced to so
great and valuable a person as your Lordship, I was then obliged to take my
leave of your Lordship, being under a necessity the next day to prosecute my
voyage to Maryland.
I7I4.] 7^
Your Lordship's arriving in London but 8 days before I left it, I could not
then expect (from the weighty affairs your Lordship was employed in) to be
admitted for a longer time than to pay my duty, & receive your Lordship's
Blessing. This was the reason (my Lord) I did not lay several instructions
I am honored with from her Majesty before your Lordship, in relation to the
Church of Maryland. This, my Lord, is another reason why I have not
rendered that service to the Church which I might have done had I more time
to have received your Lordship's Commands, which I am ever ready to obey
with an humble submission.
I enquired into the state of the Clergy on my arrival here, and was informed
that they never had met together since the first settlement of this Province ;
and finding that they were strangers to one another by their distant residence
on this vast tract of Land, I convened them to this Town on the 24"' of June,
as being convenient for its situation in the center of the Province.
Considering myself as a Layman & unequal to the charge in hand, I was
very tender in offering any thing from myself, but digested her Majesty's
Instructions into Queries, a copy of which is inclosed to your Lordship, with a
representation of the clergy upon them, as also a letter from that Rev'' Body.
These Gentlemen's expectations are agreeably raised by your Lordship's
translation to the See of London, and think themselves happy under the care
of a pastor equally capable to guide & protect them.
There are among the clergy of Maryland many worthy persons, who
deserve more encouragement than can be expected here. I am sorry to
represent to your Lordship, on the contrary, that there are some whose
education and morals are a scandal to their profession, & I am amazed how
such illiterate men came to be in holy orders.
The advantages which the Jesuits have from their negligence is but too
evident in the many Proselytes they make. Nor is there any other remedy
for this growing evil, but by making use of the authority I have to constrain
them from entering the houses of Dying persons.
Mais les Jesuites sont Jesuites par tout.
My Lord, I have enjoyed but a slender proportion of health in this
intemperate season, which is the occasion of not being so particular in the
state of the Church as I intend to be, if it pleases Providence to recover my
strength.
I hope your Lordship will view with a favorable eye this imperfect relation,
79 [1715-
& accept of my Zeal for the service of the Church, which I assure your
Lordship is sincere, and if your Lordship will have the, goodness to direct
that Zeal, it is possible I may be useful to Religion in my station here, which
would be the greatest Blessing of my Life.
I am, my Lord, with great resignation to your Lordship's pleasure.
My Lord, y'rs, &"=.,
JOHN HART.
M\ HENDERSON to the Right Rev' Lord Bishop of
London.
Maryland, Sepf. i^\ 171 5-
May it please your Lordship,
I hope your Lordship will pardon the trouble of this, since it comes to
acquaint you with some transactions in this part of your Diocese, and by a
bearer that is capable to inform you of the whole state of the Church.
I am heartily sorry no better account can be given of it than that a great
part of the clergy are very loose in their lives and negligent in their offices,
and having no authority to restrain them, they pursue these practices without
controul.
Upon the arrival of his Excellency our present Governor, some parishes
were in hopes he had power to remove such as were a scandal to religion, as
there are indeed many such here, one of the vestries, viz', of St. Paul's Parish,
in Baltimore County, made application to him by way of Petition, and drew
up articles against their minister, the Rev** M^ W" Tibbs. His Excellency
(who has been always very careful about the affairs of the Church and
Clergy) sent for some of us to consult withall what was proper to be done.
We met, and gave his Excellency our opinion that M'. Tibbs should be
advised immediately to change his Life and reconcile himself to his Parish-
ioners, or, in case he did not, that then his Excellency should allow him to
make his defence, and his Accusers to prove the Crimes alledged against
him, and the whole transmitted to your Lordship for your determination. (I
have inclosed the whole for your Lordship's perusal.) After this, the Vestry
1715.] So
continuing their applications, his Excellency thought it might be of service to
summon him before his Majesty's Council, to make his defence there, in order
to subject it to your Lordship ; but being advised that such acts were purely
of Ecclesiastical Cognizance, tho' he has an instruction that favored it, yet he
desisted, and said he was sorry it was not in his power to serve the Church,
but upon further consideration he told the Vestry he would send three
Clergymen to examine that matter, and this was purely to quiet the minds of
the people till your Lordship was acquainted with it.
Several other Parishes are waiting the issue of this, and I'm afraid, if some
speedy remedy is not applied, the consequence will be very pernicious. The
Roman Catholics and Dissenters are very numerous, & make great advantage
of these things. All we can do is to lament the want of Bishops, whom we
have long expected, but I'm afraid that is a work not easily to be effected, &
in regard it is so, it is highly necessary that your Lordship should appoint a
Commissary, with authority to exercise the Discipline of our Church ; or
rather two Commissarys, if your Lordship thinks fit, one for the Eastern side
of the Bay, and the other for the Western side, for this Province is divided by
the great Bay of Cheaseapake, and it is almost impossible for one Commissary
to inspect both sides.
This Gentleman will inform your Lordship of all other affairs. I should
not have offered this, but that I believe nobody else will acquaint your Lord-
ship with these things, & that the case of the Church requires a speedy
remedy. I beg your Lordship's Prayers, & am, &*=.,
JACOB HENDERSON.
Gov" HART to the Right Rev"^ Lord Bishop oj London.
Maryland, Sept' 6'^ 1715.
Mv Lord,
I have by several Letters since my arrival acquainted your Lordship of
the affairs of the Church within my Government, and have done all in my
power to serve its Interest, and maintain the Clergy in their due credit &
8i [1715.
esteem, but unless I had a power to remove such as are notoriously scandalous
in their lives, I cannot do effectual service. I am sorry that I am under a
necessity to inform your Lordship that there are many such here, and that
I believe nothing will reclaim some of them until they feel the severitys of
Ecclesiastical Censures.
Several complaints have been made to me of them, of which I took no
notice, save of those against M"". Tibbs, and no further of that than what was
necessary to quiet the minds of the people till your Lordship's Pleasure was
known. I have desired the Rev^ M'. Henderson to give your Lordship a full
account of that case, to which I beg leave to refer your Lordship.
It were to be wished, both for the honor and increase of our Church, we
had a Suffragan Bishop here. This Province is a large tract of Land, and
contains a considerable number of Inhabitants, who are liable & are daily
carried away from our Church by the craft & subtlety of insinuating Jesuits
and separatists of all kinds, who make great advantages of the Sloth and ill
conduct of our Clergy, and Religion being in its infancy. I think it highly
necessary that our Church should be in its full perfection, and not left to the
managem' of such persons as can be procured to undertake a Mission under
so great disadvantages.
I hope your Lordship will pardon the liberty I have here taken, & believe
that it proceeds entirely from the great concern I have for the success of the
Church of England in these parts. It grieves me to hear daily of the numbers
leaving it, and going over to the Roman Catholics and dissenting congrega-
tions, but none abandoning their Errors, and embracing the true religion.
This obliges me to propose to your Lordship's consideration, whether it would
not be necessary, until such time as a Bishop can be settled, to appoint 2
Commissaries for the Province, invested by your Lordship with Ecclesiastical
authority to inspect the affairs of the Church, & to preserve a decorum in it.
It is my opinion that it^ would contribute very much to the Growth of the
Church, if your Lordship approves of it, & does not design to send persons
immediately from England in those stations, but will please to make choice
of 2 out of those that are already settled here. The fittest that I know to
execute those ofifices are, for the eastern side of the Bay, the Rev"* M''. Chrisf"
Wilkinson, and for the western side, the Rev^ M^ Jacob Henderson, whom I
have good grounds to believe will faithfully discharge the trust reposed in
them.
1715-] 82
His Lordship, the late Bishop of London, appointed as his Commissary
the Rev'' M*". Henry Hall, but he never thought fit to execute any of the
authorities reposed in him ; nay, I am informed he absolutely declined it, for
which reason I do not think it convenient to name him to your Lordship.
I must acquaint your Lordship that there are 4 parishes vacant in this
province, besides 2 small ones not sufficient to maintain an Incumbent. I
hope your Lordship will supply those four parishes as soon as possible.
The Bearer, M', Tho' Bordley (who is the son of a Clergyman) & whom
I recommend to your Lordship for an honest, ingenious Gentleman, he will
inform your Lordship what is farther necessary to be known of our affairs.
We have had several turns in the Government since I had it, which obliges
me to send this Gentleman to transact some matters in my behalf, I humbly
beg your Lordship to vouchsafe him your protection & countenance, & if,
upon his application to your Lordship, you shall please to grant him your
assistance, none shall retain a more grateful sense of it than.
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most humble & most obed' serv',
JOHN HART.
Rev. M\ HENDERSON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Patuxent in Maryland, April i, 171 5.
Sir,
* * * Our Church in this Province is established by Act of
Assembly, and, considering the circumstances of the Country, the provision
made for the Clergy not to be complained of, tho' in the laying out of the
Parishes, some happened to be so small that they never had, nor are likely to
have, any Minister till some addition is made to the Income.
The Clergy (generally speaking) are not so industrious, nor their lives
50 innocent as those employed by the Hon'ble Society, which makes other
Sects grow apace, tho' they decrease in those places that are under the direc-
83 [1715.
tion of the Hon'ble Society ; but especially the Roman Catholics gain much
ground of us, & I verily believe that if the jurisdiction of our Church do not
soon take place here it will by degrees dwindle to nothing. I am not of
Opinion that the fault is entirely in the Clergy ; there is a great deal owing
to the diligence & ingenuity of the Romish Priests ; but, at the same time, it
is very obvious that the weakness of some of our Clergy, the negligence of
others, & the ill lives of many, have made more converts to that Church than
their priests could have done, notwithstanding their extraordinary abilities.
This is not only my own opinion, but the opinion of many worthy Gentlemen
who have lived long in this Province.
I hope I shall not transgress if I acquaint the Hon'ble Society with my
own circumstances as at present they stand. After I was disengaged of New
Castle, which happened a little after the arrival of Gov"^ Hart, I applied
myself to him for Induction to a Church about 16 miles distant from me,
which he readily granted, & which I have duly served ever since, tho' the
fatigue of it is very great, yet, considering the scarcity of the Clergy in these
parts, & the miserable condition of the people for want of instruction, I
thought I could not lye idle in the Church.
I have presumed to give the Hon'ble Society this account of myself, to
assure them y' nothing shall hinder me, wherever I am, zealously to prosecute
the duties of my Function, & since I was for some time their Missionary, I
think it my duty, whilst in these parts, to take all opportunities of informing
them of the state of Religion, believing it will be acceptable to them, &
hoping by their bounty & good offices we shall some time or other have
Bishops settled among us, which is the only method can be taken effectually
to propagate Religion here.
Be pleased. Sir, to communicate this to the Hon'ble Society, with my
hearty wishes & prayers for success to the work they are engaged in. If in
anything I could be serviceable to them in these parts, I should be very ready
to undertake it at my own Expence, provided it were not to fix me anywhere
from hence, but any Journey or Service for a Month or two at a time should
be duly complied with by. Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
1715.] 84
The Secretary to Governor HART.
Aug' 6, 1 71 5.
Honoured Sir,
I received your Letter of the 20"' July, 1714 (tho' a long time after the
date), enclosing some Queries made by you to the Clergy in your Govern-
ment, with their answer thereto, & having communicated the same to the
Society, I am sorry I have not had an opportunity before now to inform you
that I am commanded to return you their hearty thanks for such your kind
account of the state of Religion in that Province, & that notwithstanding no
part of that Province is under the direction of the Society, they are willing,
as far as in them lies, to assist the Clergy there, and accordingly agreed
that application be made to the Lord Baltemore for enlargement of their
Salaries & Glebes from forfeitures and escheated Lands in that Province.
His Lordship's decease at that juncture prevented such their application to
him. Yet they have not been wanting to do what in them is with my Lord
Guilford and others concerned in my Lord Baltemore's Estate and Affairs,
but as to the effect thereof I cannot yet give you any certain account.
I am, &"=.
Petition of the Parishioners of North Elk River for a
Minister.
To the Right Rei/ Father in God, Lord Bishop of London.
May it Please your Lordship:
Because we are sensible of your Lordship's fatherly care over all this
America, in propagating the Gospel in this Foreign Parts, by sending over
good Ministers and Books, whereby to promote the Christianity, not only by
teaching but a good life ; accordingly we, in this Parish of North Elk River,
in Maryland, do presume to come with this address to your Lordship, humbly
imploring your Lordship's assistance and support in our great want of a Min-
85 [i7i6.
ister, and God's Word among us being ever destitute of a Teacher, since we
were settled, notwithstanding, have been made a Parish by the laws of our
Country, about nine years, and in the time have builded a Church, and now the
Revenues of the Parish do amount to about forty pounds per Annum, and as
our Parish is a growing and increasing Parish every day, so the Revenues
will accordingly increase. But if this should seem too small in the beginning,
we humbly crave your Lordship's favour to mend it from home ; and being
we have lived here so long without any Minister, only now and then of some
neighbouring Ministers have had few Sermons, and we and our youth grow
up in ignorance, without catechising and very little instruction in the fear of
<jrod. Therefore we humbly desire your Lordship out of fatherly love to send
us a Minister not only of good learning, but likewise of good life and conver-
sation, and be watchful among us, because we live in a strange Country that
is mixt with all sorts of Religion ; set likewise of Books, which are necessary
for us and our children. God be pleased to bless this our earnest desire, by
your Lordship's due care over this his flock ; and we, the Petitioners, shall
«ver pray for your Lordship's welfare, &".
Your Lordship's
Humble Petitioners,
Nicholas Hyland, Francis Mauldir,
Samson George, Sam'- Vans,
Joseph Young, John Curer.
Rev' JONATHAN WHITE to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, Oct' 8, 171 6.
My Lord,
It is now more than 17 years since I was first sent into this province by
xny late Lord of London to assist in preventing the growth of Popery, &■=., in
these parts, and I have endeavored all that time to serve this Infant Church
after the best manner that I could, but now, my Lord, I am very sorry to
acquaint you that our Gov'^, Col' Hart, has rewarded me very badly for it, he
Jiaving lately granted a license to my eldest Son, a young man and very
i7i6.] 86
hopeful, after many repeated promises to the contrary, to marry with an Irish
Papist, a Bond Servant to a Gentleman here, and who was then in England,
and continued to be his Servant still, which is looked upon by some of the
Clergy here to be a great reflection upon our Church, which had almost
brought my grey hairs with sorrow to the Grave. And now, my Lord, I
could heartily wish you would be pleased to forbid such irregular practices
for the future, and I should be glad to see this part of the Lordship's Diocese
enjoy the happy influence of our Church's Discipline ; and thus, my Lord, I
humbly beg the prayers and pardon for this presumption, and am, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most dutiful &
obedient Son,
JONATHAN WHITE.
Rev' CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON to the Bishop of
London,
Queen Ann's County, Oct"^ Io'^ 171 6.
May it please your Lordship:
I have received the Commission which your Lordship has entrusted with
me, and I shall endeavour to execute it with that caution as may support your
Lordship's Jurisdiction here and answer the ends thereof, and I doubt not but
it will have a good effect, especially since His Excellency concerns himself so
heartily in it, and assures me of all the countenance and encouragement that
lies in his power. I can say that His Excellency has no other view than the
encouragement of our religion, the protection of the Clergy, and the welfare
of the whole province. The public Good is his great care, to the neglect of
his own interest.
I will give your Lordship an exact account of the number and value of
the parishes on our shore as soon as I have the opportunity of getting a just
information thereof; and I shall immediately acquaint the parishioners of
North Elk River of your Lordship's design to supply them with a Minister.
I have nothing more to add, but to crave your Lordship's advice and direc-
8; [^7^7-
tions in the execution of the Commission you have given me, and your
blessing.
I am, Your Lordship's most humble
and most obed' Serv*,
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
Jiev' CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON to the Bishop of
London.
St. Paul's in Chester River, Maryland,
Julys'", '^7'^7-
May it please your Lordship :
Before Colonel Holland's return, by whom I rec** your Lordship's Letter,
we had had our visitation on the 8* of May, the Season of the year not
permitting us to meet sooner. I proceeded in it after the method I've
observed in England. We had public prayers and a Sermon suitable to the
occasion ; then I read my charge, delivered articles of Enquiry to the Church-
wardens, who unanimously assured me of their diligence and faithfulness
according to the best of their knowledge in the discharge of their office, and
then I ordered your Lordship's commission to be read, and for the satisfaction
of the people I translated it into the English tongue. And it was no small
pleasure to me to hear that those Gentlemen who attended our visitation
did declare their approbation of it, and hoped that it would very much
restrain the irregularities of the people. And I, for my part, so long as
your Lordship entrusts me with this Commission, shall proceed with that
moderation and prudence as to avoid (as much as I can) the two extremes of
too much lenity and severity, & shall, in whatever difficulties occur, consult
with my Brethren, and follow their advice till I receive your Lordship's better
<lirections.
Your Lordship would do well to inform me whether I may demand fees,
what and how they may be recovered, and whether it will be prudent to apply
■to the Gov"^ for a Law to support your authority. We are in great want of
1 71 7-] 88
Books relating to those affairs. I foresee that I shall have occasion to be very
much abroad, and cannot so well attend my cure as I should ; I desire, there-
fore, your Lordships would be pleased to send me an Assistant. I shall
be willing to allow him what your Lordship will order out of my incomes..
The number of taxables in my parish are betwixt 8 and g hundred. I hope
the Society will add something toward his maintenance. I have acquainted
the Parishioners of North Elk what small hopes there is of a minister for
them ; and, indeed, I know not how they can expect one, for they were very
uneasy till the parish was divided, which the Assembly did upon their appli-
cation, whereas both parishes are scarce a competency for one minister. I
thought it had not been usual to divide the parishes without the consent of
the Bishop, the patron, and the Incumbent, and if your Lordship be of the
same opinion & thinks fit, I shall endeavor to prevent it for the future, for the
people are very desirous to have more parishes, though we want Ministers to
supply those that are vacant. There are two Vacancies in Somerset County,
and I am afraid must continue so till they find out some other expedient for
a maintenance than Tobacco, for they, having no good river for the reception
of ships, have little or no trade. Kent Island is also vacant, by reason of the
few taxables they have. I have nothing more to add, but to beg your
Lordship's blessing.
I am. Your Lordship's most dutiful
& obedient Servant,
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
TAe Bishop of London to M\ WILKINSON.
FULHAM, Oct' 7, 1 71 7.
Sir,
I have received by yours of the 3"^ of July last the welcome account of
what you have done in execution of the Commission I sent, and of the
good reception the same has found in your Country. I much approve your
intention of proceeding with moderation in the exercise of the authority you
are entrusted with, by which you will best answer the ends I proposed in
giving you the Commission. You may be assured of my desire that the
89 i^7^7'
exercise of my Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction may be promoted by all prudent
and proper means, and to that end you will do well to inform yourself how
far the Commissarys of the neighboring Governm'^ have extended my
Ecclesiastical authority, so far as you may with safety go. But I would not
have you make any farther steps without first having the consent and appro-
bation of their Governor, to whom it may not be improper to apply for a
Law to support my authority, as he is directed by his Instructions to encourage
the exercise of my jurisdiction, as far as conveniently may be. But this I
leave to your discretion.
I am sorry you have so many vacancies in Maryland, and that there is so
little prospect of their being supplied. My endeavors, however, shall not be
wanting in order thereto, though without hope of receiving any Assistance
from the Society.
I am. Your assured friend & Brother,
JOHN LONDON.
C/ergy, &f".j to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, Oct"^ 25"", 171 7.
Right Hon'ble & Rev° Father in God:
We, the Clergy of that part of the Province of Maryland which is situate
the Eastern shore of the Bay of Chesapeake, being convened now by
Order of the Rev^ your Lordship's Commissary, M^ Christopher Wilkinson,
embrace this opportunity of returning your Lordship our unfeigned thanks
for the great care your Lordship has taken for the poor Church in these parts,
in appointing the Rev"* and worthy Gentleman to preside over us, who has a
double right to our due deference and respect your Lordship's Commission
and his own personal wisdom. Prudence, and Experience, who, we doubt not,
will acquaint your Lordship what is transacted at this time. And by him we
presume to address your Lordship with a view of some things of importance,
that concern our Church in this part of the Province.
It is the first complaint of grievance that ever we were concerned in, nor
will we dare to persist in it. If your Lordship please to order us to decline it.
171 7-] 90
The Settlement of our Parochial Benefices we were always well pleased with-
all (and should be more could the Government be prevailed upon by your
Lordship's influence to assign a more convenient time for the payment of our
Tobacco by the Sheriffs), which, although it cannot be counted more than a
very moderate and scanty provision, yet is become the object of discontent ta
some malicious and envious spirits, that it is not without good grounds we
assure your Lordship that there is an intention of curtailing and diminishing
them to a contemptible modicum by reducing of many or most parishes,
whereas there are several so sorry that either never had and some that never
are any more like to have an incumbent. And this course will drive all that
are now in the province out of it, if they can get any better provision any-
where, and in truth no Gentleman of any merit will ever take up with such a
scandalous maintenance as the prevailing part of our people (so great, alas !
is either their ignorance or irreligion) do think and vouch to be a competency.
In their last general Assembly, they have made a Law in which are very
dishonorable reflections on the Clergy, and an abatement of their marriage
offerings, which have been customary ever since there has been any face of a
Church in this Country. Neither do they dissemble but that they do not
intend to cease here ; witness a Clause in the aforesaid act, which directly
contradicts our law of Religion enacted by Royal authority. We have too
much reason to suspect that they will ever be deaf to all our apphcations for
the support of your Lordship's Commissary, nor can they endure to think of
any jurisdiction of that kind. We are given to understand that there is a
design to address your Lordship for your consent to the reduction of parishes,
and this reason is intended to be given, because some parishes are too large
for the minister, but in reality it is nothing but the ambition of some richer
persons to have a Church or Chapel for their own private conveniences more
than the good of the public. But granting it were as they say, the remedy
would be worse than the disease. For, although this might be the case of
one or two, yet, to have most of the rest reduced, and consequently to impov-
erish the whole body of the Clergy throughout the province, will be attended
with most pernicious consequences to the whole Church of Priests and People.
It would be presumption to be more particular ; your Lordship's great wisdom
cannot chuse but see into them.
We should be very unjust to our Excellent Governor if we did not declare
that he is not of their temper, but that we are obliged to him, and that he
91 1^71?'
Tvould be more our friend if he were able, or the people more willing ; and
-we should be unjust to our people, and especially the Inhabitants of this part
of the province, if we do not acknowledge that they are generally a very
sober and grave people, only that the evil we complain of is owing to the
instigation of malevolent persons and Dissenters, and indeed not a little to
their own too penurious and narrow inclinations. We confess to your Lord-
ship that these machinations are not actually accomplished upon us, but that
they are everywhere avowed publicly to be designed, and your Lordship is
not ignorant that they may pass a Law which is obligatory here until such
time as it is either assented to or repealed in Great Britain, which would be
a sore calamity upon us, and probably not remedied neither then.
All we beg and all we hope from your Lordship is to prevent them
beseeching you to intercede with the Right Honorable the Lord Baltimore,
our Governor and Proprietary, and the Lord Guildford, his Guardian, that
they would enjoin all Gov" for the time being not to pass any act relating to
Ecclesiastical affairs without causing the Commissarys or some other Clergy-
men to attend, to know what they can say to the thing before them to be
enacted, that they likewise would influence the Gentlemen (of authority
especially) in this his Government and dominion to be more tenderly affected
to the Clergy, to encourage and support your Lordship's Commissary, and to
continue the good parishes in their present condition, and amend the poor
ones which are never like to be supplied with incumbents, at least that they
-would not make the state of the Church worse than it is or ever has been.
The prolixity and importunity of this address we hope your Lordship will
pardon. It is a sad truth that we must declare that we have not one friend in
the Province, except our Gov^ to make our application to, nor any access to
nor place nor employ in the Governm' ; no, nor friend in the world that we
know of, but your Lordship, to stand by us, whose piety and goodness and
tender care of the Church is now become everywhere so conspicuous, that
we both can and do, with all confidence and cheerfulness, rely on them.
Your Lordship's prayers and blessing are the last and most valuable
benefits that can be desired by
Your Lordship's most dutiful sons and servants,
Thomas Howell, Tho^ Thompson,
Alex" Adams, Dan"- Maynadier,
Hen. Nicols, James Williamson.
Alex" Williamson,
I717-] 92
Rev' M\ HENDERSON'S Visitation.
Western Shore of Maryland,
4'" December, 171 7.
This day The Rev"* Jacob Henderson, Clerk, Master of Arts, Commissary
to the Right Rev"* Father in God, John, Lord Bishop of London, preached a
Sermon in Saint Ann's Parish Church, in the City of Annapolis, and immedi-
ately after Sermon begun the visitation of the said Commissary, Citations for
the Clergy and Churchwardens of the s'* Shore, having duly and legally
issued.
Then appeared John Gresham, Gentleman, Mayor of the City of An-
napolis, and administered to the said Jacob Henderson the Oaths to the
Government, and the oath for the due execution of his Office as Commissary.
And also at the same time the said John Gresham administered to Bernard
White the Oaths to the Govem', and oath for the due Execution of his Office
as Registrar.
And likewise, at the same time, administered to Tho^ Macnamara, Esq"
the oaths to the Government, and oath for the due execution of his Office as
procurator of office.
M^ William Head and Jno. Deacons, Churchwardens of S'. Paul's Parish
in Prince George's County, appeared and took the oath of Churchwardens,
and had articles of Enquiry delivered them.
And then the said Commissary further adjourned, and continued his
visitation till to-morrow morning, 1 1 o'clock.
Thursday Morning, s"' Dec', 1717.
Then the s*^ Commissary sat, and proceeded as follows :
The Rev^ M'. Sam^ Skippon, Rector of S', Ann's Parish Church, in Ann
Arundel County, appeared and produced his Letter of License, Letters of
Orders, and Instrument of Presentation.
Bernard White & Rich* Evans appeared, & were sworn Churchwardens
of S'. Ann's Parish, in Arundel County, and had Articles of enquiry delivered
them.
The Parish of Westminster being vacant for want of an Incumbent, &
93 L^7^7'
Mordecai Hammond, one of the Churchwardens of the said Parish, being
legally cited, did not appear.
Hugh Merrikin, the other Churchwarden for the said Parish, appeared and
took the oath, and had articles of Enquiry delivered him.
The Rev"* M^ William Tibbs, Rector of St. Paul's Parish in Baltimore
County, appeared, and is excused for not producing his Letters of Orders,
Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation, but ordered to have them
at the next visitation ; and also he is advised of a complaint made against him.
John Israel and Jno. Barrett, Churchwardens for the said Parish of Saint
Paul's, were not cited by the Sheriff of Baltimore County, who undertook to
do the same.
The Rev"^ M'. George Irvine, Rector of S'. George's Parish, and of S'.
John's Parish in Baltimore County, appeared, and is excused for not exhibit-
ing his Letters of Orders, Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation,
but advised to have them at the next visitation, and that he ought to have a
dispensation for his holding of two parishes from the Ordinary.
The four Churchwardens of the two last-mentioned parishes are not cited
by the Sheriff of Baltimore County, who undertook to do the same.
The Rev"* M^ Joseph Colebatch, Rector of All Hallow's Parish, in Ann
Arundel County, is excused for his not attending at the Visitation, being sick.
Edward Rumney and Francis Hardisty, Churchwardens for the said
parish, appeared and took the oath of Churchwardens, & had Articles of
Enquiry delivered them.
The Rev** M^ Henry Hall, Rector of S'. James' Parish in Annarundel
County, appeared, and promised to exhibit his Letters of Orders, Letter of
License, and Instrument of Presentation (being at his Lodgings) to the Com-
missary for his perusal thereof.
Christopher Vernon, Churchwarden for the said Parish, is excused for not
appearing, being sick.
Alexander Rosenquest, the other Churchwarden for the said Parish,
appeared, and took the Oath, and had articles of Enquiry delivered him.
The Rev'' M"'. Thomas Cockshut, Rector of All Saints' Parish in Calvert
County, appeared, and excused for not exhibiting his Letters of Orders^
Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation, but advised to have them
at the next visitation.
Robert Wheeler and Robert Summers, Churchwardens, appeared and
1 71 7-] 94
took the Oath of Churchwardens for the s** Parish of AH Saints', and had
articles of Enquiry deliv'' them.
The Rev'' Mr. Jonathan Cay, Rector of Christ Church, appeared, and exhib-
ited his Letters of Orders, Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation,
Thomas Burhe, one of the Churchwardens for the s** Parish, appeared, &
took the Oath, and had articles of Enquiry delivered him,
William Bruce, the other Churchwarden for the said Parish, is excused for
his not appearing, having sent sufficient reasons.
The Rev** M^ Jonathan White, Rector of Saint Barnabas' Parish in Prince
George's County, is excused for his not appearing, being indisposed, and not
very able to travel.
Peter Iliat & Jos. Brown, Churchwardens for the said Parish, appeared,
and took the Oath, and had articles of Enquiry delivered them.
The Rev"* M'. John Eraser, Rector of King George's Parish in Prince
George's County, appeared, and produced his Letters of Ordination, and is
excused for not producing his Letter of License and Instrument of Presenta-
tion, but advised to have them at the next visitation.
William Tyler, Churchwarden for the said Parish, is excused for not appear-
ing, being sick. The other Churchwarden is dead, and another not yet chosen.
M"^. William Maconky, Rector of Port Tobacco and of Durham Parishes
in Charles County, appeared, and is excused for not exhibiting his Letters of
Orders, Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation, but advised to
have them at the next visitation, and that he ought to have a Dispensation
from the Ordinary for holding of two Parishes.
Robert Sanders, Churchwarden for Durham Parish in the said County,
appeared, & took the oath, and had articles of Enquiry delivered him.
John Martin and Joseph Thomas, Churchwardens for Port Tobacco
Church, being legally cited, did not appear, because, as was offered in excuse,
they were chose 4 years ago, and not last Easter, according to Law.
Barton Hungerford, Churchwarden for William & Mary's Parish in
Charles County (being vacant), appeared, and is sworn, & had articles of
Enquiry delivered him.
Thomas Dixon, Churchwarden for the said Parish, is excused for not
appearing.
The Rev* M^ Robert Scott, Rector of All Faith's Parish in St. Mary's
County, appeared, and is excused for not exhibiting his Letters of Orders,
95 [i7i7-
Letter of License, and Instrument of Presentation, but advised to have them
at the next visitation.
John Israel, Churchwarden for S'. Paul's Parish in Baltimore County, being
cited, did not appear. John Barrett, the other Churchwarden, is lately dead.
James Durham and Martin Taylor, Churchwardens for S'. John's Parish
in Baltimore County, appeared, took the oath of Churchwarden, and had
articles of Enquiry delivered them.
Andrew Berry, one of the Churchwardens for S'. George's Parish in the
County afs**, appeared, took the Oath of Churchwarden, & had art^ of Enquiry
delivered him. Rowland Kimball, the other Churchwarden, neither appeared
nor sent his excuse.
Christopher Vernon, one of the Churchwardens for S'. James' Parish, in
Annarundel County, appeared, but refused to take the office of Church-
warden.
William Bruce, Churchwarden Elect for Christ Church Parish in Calvert
County, appeared, & alleged he was exempted from the Office of Church-
warden, being a Practitioner of Physick, and was excused.
The Rev* M'. William Tibbs, being cited to answer to Articles Exhibited
again,st him on the Complaint of His Excellency the Governor, did not
appear, but Evan Jones, Procurator, made himself party for him, & prom-
ised all proceedings should be held good, and that he should answer to the
articles against next visitation.
The Rev* M^ Henry Hall appeared, & the Procurator of Office gave in
Articles against him, which he prayed a Copy of, and a Copy was ordered
him, to which he agreed to return answer by the 13"' of March next.
Then came the Rev* M^ Thomas Cockshutt, and prayed to be admitted a
Proctor, who was admitted, and took the oaths accordingly, and was consti-
tuted by the Rev* M'. Hall as his Proctor.
Then the Visitation was further adjourned and continued till Thursday,
the 13"' of March next, to the Church of St. Ann's, in the City of Annapolis
afores*, between the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon.
Western Shore of Maryland,
Thursday, March I3'^ 171 7.
Then began the visitation which was adjourned & continued to this day.
The Rev* M'. Tibbs not appearing, nor his Proctor for him, was ordered
I7I7-J 96
to be cited to appear against the first of May next, to answer to the Articles
exhibited against him.
The Rev"* M"^. Thomas Cockshutt, Proctor for the Rev-* M'. Hall, offered
an Answer to the Articles exhibited against the s'^ M^ Hall, in presence of
the Proctor of Office, who alleged the s^ Hall, being present, ought to make
oath to the truth of the s** answer and allegations therein contained, which he
refused & alleged he was not thereto by Law obliged, on which the Comm^
adjourned the Visitation till the next morn^, at nine o'clock, to consider of
that matter.
Friday Morning, 14"' March, 171 7.
Then M^ Hall's answer was received Quatenus de jure, in the presence of
Tho' Macnamara, Esq'^, Proctor of Office, who dissented to the admission
thereof, as not sufficient.
The Commissary ordered the s* Proctor to reply, or except to the s"*
answer by the next visitation.
Then the Visitation was further adjourned & continued till the i" day of
May next, then to be held between the hours of 8 in the morning and 4 in
the afternoon, in the Parish Church of S'. Ann's afs"^.
Articles of Enquiry, according to the Kubricks of the Book
of Common Prayer and other Ecclesiastical Laws now in
force, for the help of the Churchwardens of every Par-
ish on the Western Shore of Maryland in the Diocese of
London, in the Visitation of the Rev'' Jacob Henderson,
Commissary to the Right Rev'' Father in God, John,
Lord Bishop of London, Anno Domini, 17 17.
Tit. I.
Concerning Ministers, their Duties & Office.
First. Is your Minister of a Sober life and Conversation ?
Secondly. Doth he instruct the Children and Youth of His Parish in the
97 [1717.
Church Catechism, according to the Rubricks and Canons of the Church?
Doth he confer with Popish Recusants & Sectaries, & endeavor to reclaim
them to the true Religion established in the Church of England ?
Thirdly. Doth he give notice of Holydays and fasting days ? of the Lent
fast, of the Ember days, of the 30"" of January, 29"^ of May, and 5"* of Novem-
ber ; & are they religiously observed ? Does he likewise read the Acts of
Assembly against prophane cursing and swearing, drunkenness ; and the other
good Laws of this Province against Vice and immorality, four times a year ?
Fourthly. Doth he administer the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
so often that every parishioner may receive three times in the year, at least ?
and doth he give public warning thereof at Morning Prayer the Sunday
before (by reading one of the Exhortations in the Book of Common Prayer)
for the better preparation of the Parishioners ?
Fifthly. Doth he' read Divine Service at all times appointed, according to
the Rubrick ; or doth he vary from it, and wherein is he diligent in visiting
the sick ? Doth he refuse or delay to baptize any infant that is in danger of
death ? and are such infants, after recovery, brought to Church, & their bap-
tisms certified to the Congregation ? Doth he marry at any other times than
between the hours of eight & twelve, or in any private house, or before their
parents and Ck)vernors (the parties being under the age of 21 years) have
testified their consents ?
Sixthly. Doth he read the Canons and Constitutions, & the 39 Articles of
our Church, that his Parishioners may the better understand them, and be
made thoroughly acquainted with the Doctrine, Laws, and Usages of our
Church ?
Tit. II.
Concerning things pertaining to Churches.
First. Is your Church in good repair, decently and comely kept, as well
within as without ? Are the windows glazed, and are all things in decent and
orderly sort for Divine Service ? Have you a font set up at the lower end of
your Church for the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism? Have
you a convenient pew for your Minister to read Divine Service in ? a pulpit
with a decent Cloth and Cushion? a large Bible & the Book of Common
Prayer ? Have you likewise the Book of Homilies & a Table of Degrees,
wherein unlawful marriage is forbidden ? Have you also a decent Com-
1 71 7-] 98
munion Table ? two coverings for it, one of rich silk stuff or fine Cloth,
another of fine linen ; with a plate or patten, and a Cup or Chalice of Silver ?
And have you a Surplice for your minister to wear at all times of his public
ministration in the Church ?
Tit. III.
Concerning Parishioners.
First. Is there any in your Parish that lieth under a Common fame or
suspicion of adultery, fornication, or incest ? Are there any Common Drunk-
ards, Common Swearers or Blasphemers of God's holy Name, or other pro-
fane, loose, wicked persons ? If there are any such, you are to present them.
Secondly. Do your Parishioners frequent the Church on Sundays and
Holydays ? Do they behave themselves reverently in that holy place ? Do
they devoutly kneel when the Confession, the Ten Commandments, and all
Prayers and Collects are read? Do they stand up at the Creeds? And,
lastly, do they use due and lowly reverence when they hear the name of the
Blessed Jesus ? or do any walk and talk, or go out and in during the time of
Divine Service ? If there are any such, you are to present them.
Thirdly. Is there any person in your Parish of the age of 1 6 years who
does not receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper three times a
year, at least, of which Easter is always to be one ? and do your Parishioners
observe the Lord's Day in all soberness & Godly conversation ? or do any of
them loiter & idle that day at home ? If any such, present them.
Fourthly. Are there any within your Parish that neglect or refuse to send
their Children and Servants to be catechized by your Minister on Sundays
and Holydays ?
Tit. IV.
Concerning Church Officers.
Are your Churchwardens yearly chosen on Easter Monday ? Have you
a Parish Clerk Chosen by your Minister ? Is he a person of a sober life and
conversation ? Doth he duly attend his Office, & is he licensed by the Ordi-
nary ?
Tit. V.
Concerning Schoolmasters.
First. What Schoolmasters have you in your Parish ? Are they persons
of Sober Life & Conversation ? Are they licensed by the Ordinary ? Do
99 [i7i8.
they teach their Scholars the Church Catechism? and do they duly and
regularly bring them to Church on Sundays & Holydays ?
Secondly. Has your Vestry any Stock of Tobacco in their Hands ? do
they employ it to such uses as the Law of this Province directs ?
If you know anything else of Ecclesiastical Cognizance, and fit to be
reformed by Ecclesias^ censure, though it be not particularly expressed in
these Articles, yet you shall likewise present the same, by virtue of your
oaths.
Churchwarden's Oath.
You shall swear to enquire with your best diligence, and to make a true
answer unto every article in this Book now given you in charge, and to
present every person that now is, or of late was inhabiting within your
Parish, that hath done any offence, or omitted any duty therein mentioned ;
and this you shall do as in the sight of God, uprightly & truly, without favour
or malice, hope of reward or fear of displeasure. So help you God.
Lord BALTIMORE to the Bishop of London's Commis-
saries.
March 23'^ 1718.
Rev° Gent",
Having received intimation from one of your Brethren in Maryland, as if
Arts were made use of to induce the Clergy of my Province to believe that
too much encouragement was by me given to Roman Catholics, than which
nothing is more contrary to truth, as is visible by my actions ; yet to show the -
great regard I pay to your order and to the Commission you bear from the
Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London under my Government, I have
thought fit to assure you that I have nothing more at heart than the Protestant
Establishment, & that I will do all that in me lies to encourage and favor the
Church of England as by Law estabUshed, which, I trust, you will communi-
cate to your Brethren. I am, Rev*^ Gentlemen,
Your most humble Serv',
BALTIMORE.
i7i8.] loo
The Bishop of London to M". HENDERSON.
April 15"*, 1 718.
Rev" Brother,
I am sensibly grieved to have any complaints made me from Maryland of
one to whom I had entrusted all the cares which concern me in a great part
of that province, and to find that while M'. Wilkinson and his Brethren are in
concert promoting their common good and the interests of Religion, at the
visitations on your side of the Bay such misunderstandings should arise as
must tend both to the disturbance of the Church and the prejudice of your-
selves. But so it is, that I have representations of my Commissary's conduct
at those meetings very much to his disadvantage, both from the Governor,
whom I have great reason to have an esteem for, and from the greatest part
of the Clergy, who complain of his assembling them together at unseasonable
times of the year, but especially of ill-treating, and very unwillingly enter into
particulars, but cannot but observe to you that your demand upon M"'. Hall,
of Synadodals and Procurations, is not to be supported, being without prece-
dent either in your or any other Colony, and the detaining his orders under
pretence of that right is what I cannot approve of ; that any disrespect shewn
your Government on that or other occasions, appears an improper way to
support my authority, which I verily believe M'. Hart is at no time disposed
carelessly to oppose. You were formerly of the same sentiment with regard
to him, & should be glad means might be found to make both of you return
to the mutual good opinion you once had of each other.
I assure you I am in no way inclined to receive impressions in your dis-
favor, but well hope the bare mention of these things, which I am under a
necessity of making to you, will produce the same good effect another Letter
of mine had on the like occasions, a reconciliation between you and the Gover-
nor, as also a perfect agreement amongst yourselves. This satisfaction I
promise myself you will give me when you write next. I shall only now add
to you that M^ Tibbs' misbehaviour and neglect of duty is among the matters
of complaint. I must earnestly recommend to you to take fit measures to
reclaim him ; to correct the faulty will answer one of the best purposes of
your Commission. I commend you to God's protection, and, in confidence
loi [1718.
that you will endeavor to set all these matters right in a manner that becomes
you, am, Sir,
Your assured ffriend & Brother.
Bishop of London to M\ HART.
April 16, 1718.
Sir,
I am very sorry to find by your last Letter that you have been so ill used
by my Commissary, one who has such particular obligations, as I am convinced
the Clergy in general have many to treat you with the utmost respect. I
assure you. Sir, he shall never be encouraged, under the pretence of support-
ing my authority, to make so ill an use of the powers I gave him, purely upon
your recommendation, I have wrote to him in terms that will, I hope, induce
him to explain himself in such manner as will give you content. If I have
dealt with him more tenderly than the occasion required. It is that he may not
have cause to complain of being condemned unheard, and out of a desire to
have the grievances complained of, if possible, redressed without a violent
remedy. However, if he still persist in being disrespectful to you, and trou-
blesome to his Brethren, I shall take proper measures to give you full satis-
faction, as also M'. Hall, whose character I am so well pleased with, that I am
concerned with you to have removed him to make way for a person whose
conduct has been so obnoxious.
I beg you to continue your good dispositions towards the Clergy, and for
the service of Religion, and that you will believe I am in no grain about my
jurisdiction in Maryland, while the Government of it remains in your hands.
I am with the greatest esteem.
Sir, &=.
1718.] I02
Governor HARTS Speeches to the Clergy, and their
Address,
April 25'^ 1 718.
Rev" Gentlemen,
On my first arrival from Great Britain I convened the Rev"* body of the
Clergy, to be advised of the state and condition of the Church of England in
this Province, to which I was prompted, not only by the duty of my station,
but also by a zealous inclination to promote, as much as in me lay, the propa-
gation of our holy Religion, for which pious & laudable end you are mission-
aries here.
I had not long resided here before experience showed me the necessity of
having some Rev^ persons, empowered by the Right Rev"^ the Lord Bishop of
London (our Diocesan) for the better Government of the Church in this
Province. This obliged me to remonstrate that defect to his Lordship, who
had the goodness not only to approve of my remonstrance, but even condes-
cended to appoint for his Lordship's Commissarys those two Rev** Gentlemen
whom I undertook the liberty to nominate for that purpose,
I find there are several difficulties in the execution of the Rev"* Commis-
sary's Commissions, which, in good measure, is owing to the Constitution of
the Province, and the natural Situation of the Country, filled with great Rivers
and Creeks, which renders it impracticable to put the Ecclesiastical Canons in
full force, as it is much to be wished they might be, as well here as in England.
To remove all which obstructions you are now called together, and upon your
representation of them you may be assured of my hearty concurrence in any-
thing it is proper for me to do in my station, that may be of use and benefit to
the Church of England in this Province ; and if there be any other grievances
which the Clergy in general or particular may labor under, I would recom-
mend to them this public Season of the Sitting of the Assembly, as most
proper that whatever they have to offer may be presented to those who have
power to redress them,
I am heartily grieved to hear how much the Jesuits and other Popish Emis-
saries have prevailed, by their insinuating arts, upon the weak and ignorant ;
how many they are, and how vigilant in gaining proselytes, and seducing the
unwary ; and I hope your vigilance, zeal, and actual application to the great
I03 [i7i8.
charge you have taken upon you will not only regain such as have been lost,
but also add daily to the fold such as shall be saved.
Rev"^ Gent° Commissarys, The methods of mildness and gentleness are
in themselves so endearing, that I hope I need not recommend them to you in
the execution of the Right Rev^ his Lordship's Commissions, and I am glad
upon this occasion to tell you that, by a view I have lately had of a Letter from
his Lordship, I find my opinion confirmed by his authority.
Rev"* Gentlemen, I do earnestly recommend to you to carry on your
proceedings with that unity and brotherly love as may demonstrate you the
disciples of the Prince of peace and concord.
JOHN HART.
To His Excellency JOHN HART, Esq., Captctin- General and Commander-
in-Chief, &.
The Humble Address of the Commissarys and Clergy of this Province in
Convention assembled.
May it please your Excellency :
We, the Commissarys and Clergy of Maryland in Convention assembled
beg leave to return you our unfeigned and hearty thanks for your most pious
and excellent speech yesterday delivered to us, and we are glad of the occa-
sion to testify to the world what deep sense we have always entertained of
your Excellency's goodness and favor to us, and zealous inclinations for the
propagation of our most holy Religion.
As your Excellency's zeal always prompted you to do whatever in you lay
for the advantage and interest of the Church of England, so in a particular
manner we think ourselves under an obligation of gratitude for your Excel-
lency's early care of the better Government thereof, expressed in the nomina-
tion of the two Reverend Gentlemen who now act as Commissarys to the
Right Rev** Ffather in God, John, Lord Bishop of London, our Diocesan,
from whose prudent care and inspection we hope to reap all the advantage
proposed and designed by your Excellency.
Your Excellency's concern for removing all such difficulties, as through
the situation of the Country, and the Constitution of the Province, may any
way affect the execution of his Lordship's Commissions, is another argument
how much you have the interest of the Church at heart, as your care for
1718.] I04
redressing any other grievances which the Clergy in general or particular may
labor under, is an undoubted testimony of your affection to her Ministers.
'Tis true we cannot hope to see the Ecclesiastical Canons put in full force here,
as they are in England, though we heartily join with your Excellency in your
wishes that they might be so. Yet, as we have seen already things obtained
for us, by your Excellency's means, beyond our expectation, so we may hope
for much greater, if by God's providence we shall be long happy under your
Government. But we should think ourselves inexcusable if, in the proposal
of means for the obtaining of those pious ends, we should offer anything
which might be thought improper for your Excellency to do in your station.
The progress of Popery in this province, as it affects us with the deepest
sorrow, so it sufficiently prompts us to diligence and circumspection in the
discharge of our functions, especially when by the success we may judge of
the number and vigilance of those Emissarys, who go about practising their
insinuating arts, and seducing the unwary and ignorant ; and, as to ourselves,
we hope that our vigilance, zeal, and application to the great charge we have
taken upon us will be effectual, by God's blessing, to the reclaiming of such
as have gone astray, and the establishment of such as are at present firm.
But we leave it to your Excellency's wisdom to think of such methods as shall
be effectual to the restraint of such pernicious practices for the future.
Your Excellency's earnest exhortation to peace and unity among ourselves,
as it shows us your tender regard for the true interest and prosperity of our
most holy religion, so also is it a distinguishing mark of your Excellency's
esteem and veneration for the sacred function, which is not to be maintained
in credit in the world but by those Evangelistical methods so ardently recom-
mended by your Excellency. And we beg leave to assure your Excellency
that we hope, by the Unanimity of our proceedings, the quick dispatch of
business, and happy conclusion of this Convention, to make it appear that we
have behaved ourselves as the Disciples of the Prince of peace and concord.
Rev° Gentlemen,
I take myself to be highly obliged to your venerable body for the kind
sentiments you have expressed of my administration, and shall esteem it as
my greatest felicity to be capable of promoting the welfare & maintaining
the just rights and privileges of our holy Church in this province.
I shall be far from thinking it improper in you to advise me (with the con-
I05 [i7i8.
sent of the Rev* Commissary) by what methods you shall conceive those
obstructions may be removed, by which my Lord Bishop of London's Com-
missary may be any way impeded in the execution of them, and must desire
you to speak your thoughts with ffreedom.
Effectual measures, I hope, will be taken to put a stop to that pernicious
practice of perverting the weak and ignorant to the Romish superstition.
I am filled with great joy at the happy prospect you have of a good agree-
ment amongst yourselves. I pray God nothing may ever more interrupt it.
J. HART.
Proposals for the more effectual executing tke Lord Bishop of London's
Commissions :
I''. That his Lordship's authority and jurisdiction be recognized by the
Assembly.
jndiy jj^^^ something be allowed for the support and maintenance of a
Register.
^rdiy 'pj^^i- Orders be given to the several Sheriffs to serve Citations in
their respective Counties, and to return Certificates of their executing of
them.
4*^'y. That Churchwardens may be allowed their necessary expences for
attending visitations.
^thiy 'j-j^^i; ^ fj.gg passage may be allowed to both Clergy & Churchwardens
over Rivers & Creeks.
Clergy to the Bishop of London.
May 8'^ 171 8.
We, your dutiful Sons the Clergy of the Western Shore of the Province
of Maryland, beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that, notwithstanding what
we have represented to your Lordship upon a former occasion with relation
to the conduct of your Lordship's Commissary, the Rev"* M^ Jacob Hender-
son, we do now with the greatest joy imaginable signify to your Lordship
that those unhappy differences are amicably adjusted amongst us, and we
1718.] io6
persuade ourselves, and may venture to assure your Lordship, from the Rev"*
M^ Commissary's present good management and prudent behavior in the
exercise of your Lordship's jurisdiction, as well as from our own natural dispo-
sition, that nothing for the future, from him or us, shall be able to interrupt
or disturb that peace and unanimity which is now so happily settled among us.
We are. May it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most ob' & dutiful
Sons & Servants,
Sam"- Skippon, Rector of S*. Ann's.
WiL. Machonchie, Rector of Deerham.
Rev. CHRIST'' WILKINSON to the Bishop of London,
Chester River in Queen Ann's County, Maryland,
May 26^ 1 7] 8.
Right Hon'ble & Right Rev° Father in God,
After I had received your Lordship's of the 7"" of October last, I advised
first with the Clergy, and after that with His Excellency, who unanimously
thought that a recognition of your Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction here would very
much facilitate the execution of your Commissions. I was very desirous to
have advised with M"", Henderson, but could not obtain it, though I requested it
several times. His Excellency, intending to call the Assembly, acquainted me
with his resolution, and ordered me to summons the Clergy to meet at the
City of Annapolis, and accordingly we met there on the 24* of April last.
I have herewith sent His Excellency's Speech and our address, and can
assure you that His Excellency and the Council very heartily espoused and
very honorably asserted your Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. I wish I could say
the same of the lower house, and that some of our Clergy had not contributed
privately to prevent it. For if I may, as I have just grounds to believe, some
Members of the house who told me that several of the Clergy were as averse
to the establishment of your jurisdiction as any of their house were, and had
alleged to them that it was tyrannical, and would be a means to drive people
I07 [i7i8.
from the Church to the Roman CathoHcs and Quakers. This, with the un-
happy differences betwixt your Commissary and the Clergy of the Western
Shore, hath at present (in my opinion) prevented the establishment of it. It
is not, I must confess, thrown out of the house, but remains to be considered
by the next assembly. It would be improper in me to concern myself in the
differences of the Western Shore. Your Lordship (I understand) has an
account of it sent from the Clergy, who best know how things were managed ;
but I think fit to acquaint your Lordship that their proceedings there have
very much prejudiced ours here, and the people are mightily startled with the
apprehensions of great fear, which some that are enemys to our Constitution
have endeavored to possess them with. And I shall take the liberty to say
that M". Henderson's late conduct in his freedom of conversation with the
Romans, and some unguarded expressions dropt from him, and joining with
those who are enemys to the Governor, have not only rendered him suspected
to be inclined that way, but makes many others to think him an unfit person
to execute your Lordship's authority.
I am apt to believe that M'. Skippon will remove in a short time from the
Church in Annapolis, in New England, and if your Lordship thinks fit to
supply that Church with a Clergyman whose abilities may qualify him to
exercise your jurisdiction with more judgment than either of us can be pre-
sumed to do it, I, for my part, will take it as a particular favor, and in the
meantime shall use my utmost endeavors in the management of the powers
you have entrusted me with, as to give no just occasion of complaint, or to
render them frightful to the people.
At our last visitation the Churchw"^ made several presentments. One was
of M^ Bayly (a Clergyman lately come from the Western to our Shore
in Somerset), for his excessive drinking, quarrelling, and swearing, and I am
very well informed that his behaviour hath been very irregular for several
years past. I have cited him to appear in July next to answer the articles
exhibited against him, and shall follow the instructions of my Commission. A
second is of an incestuous marriage, & a third of a woman supposed to have a
Child by her father-in-Law. Others are for crimes of another nature, and
which, I hope, may be corrected and amended by admonition and reproof.
An objection (I understand) was made in the house of assembly that penalties
were provided by the laws made in this province against most of the crimes
cognizable in your Court, and that it would be hard to punish twice for the
1718.] io8
same fault. The reply was that the Ecclesiastical punishments were not cor-
poreal or pecuniary, and did not interfere with those of the temporal Courts.
I should be very unjust to our Governor should I not acquaint your Lord-
ship with what zeal and earnestness he endeavored to have your jurisdiction
established by a Law, and how much he was concerned at the disappointment
of it. He laid before the House his instructions, and urged the necessity, the
benefit and advantage of the establishment of your authority with such pru-
dent and persuasive arguments as shewed him (what I always believed him)
to be a sincere and hearty friend to our Church and the Protestant Religion ;
and should he be removed from us (as the Papists and Popishly affected per-
sons do endeavor it), I fear it will prove very fatal to both.
I should be ungrateful also to the Rev"^ M"". Nicholls (my next neighbouring
Clergyman), who was requested by His Excellency to preach at the Assembly
of the Clergy, if I did not acquaint you with what approbation his Sermon
met from His Excellency and both houses, and that they returned him thanks
in writing by members sent from each house.
Your Lordship will, I hope, pardon me that I presume to tell you that 'tis
my opinion that the Churches now vacant had better continue so than to be
filled with men from the Scotch Universitys, who usually come young, raw,
and undisciplined, tainted with Presbyterian principles, and no real friends to
our Episcopal Government. Their conduct at our last meeting here has con-
firmed what I have always had of the generality of them, that necessity, not
choice, has induced them to seek for preferment among us. I wish I could
meet with more instances than I have hitherto done to change my sentiments.
I have nothing more to add but this; that, if it lay in your Lordship's
power to continue our good government among us, by doing that you would
-very much oblige our Church and province, and, I may justly add, promote
the proprietor's interest. I beg your Lordship's directions in the future man-
agement of the Commission, so long as you think fit to continue it to me, and
some few Books to direct us in our proceedings, and that you would be
pleased to give your Blessing and prayers to
Your most dutiful Son
and Servant,
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
P. S. — By enquiry I understand that the Commissary in Virginia does
I09 [1718.
Tiothing at all in the executing his Commiss", & besides him I hear of no
other.
I have enjoined the observ"* of the Canon relating to Marriages till your
Lordship's pleasure be known, and have restrained the Clergy from marrying
at private houses for several inconven^ but especially because some Clergy-
men have been complained of for being drunk at such times & places.
JACOB HENDERSON to the Bishop of London.
June I7'^ 1 718.
May it please your Lordship,
I am extremely honored by your Lordship's of the 5"^ of October last,
by M'. Falconar, and I confess that I was much surprised that I should misun-
derstand your Lordship in one of your former, that of the 14*'' of March, 17^5,
wherein your Lordship commanded me to set about executing the powers of
my Commission. By this I understood you enjoined me to set up a Court in
form, and indeed the long delay that happened through the opposition I met
with made me fear that I should incur your displeasure on that account. And
now that your Lordship has been pleased to signify to me that you would not
have me set up a Court in form, which I had done before the receipt of the
last, and, as I thought, agreeable to the former, as I fully set forth to your
Lordship in mine of the 17* of December last, I am afraid I have given
cause for your Lordship to be displeased on the other side, but I hope your
Lordship will please to pardon this mistake, since it was not wilful, but rather
with intention to comply with your Lordship's commands, and especially since
I forbore to proceed further upon the receipt of your last, and that no trouble
has been given to any lay person by reason of offending against the juris-
diction.
I have been most happy, not only as above, but in having been supposed
here to have been in earnest in setting up your Lordship's jurisdiction, that
made me the object of both our Gov'''^ maHce and jealousy. He could neither
flatter nor caress me out of it, nor was I so weak as ever to communicate any
of your Lordship's Letters to him, though often solicited to it, and large prom-
I7i8.] no
ises made me to get an Act of Assembly to support it. I knew his inclinations
better, & that an application for such an Act would rather weaken and dis-
credit the jurisdiction by the ill success it would meet withall among our
Legislators, All this I communicated to your Lordship by my last, but it was
too late to hinder such an application, for the Commissary on the Eastern
shore, after some consultations with the Gov', procured Orders from him for
a Meeting of the whole Clergy on both Eastern and Western Shores, pursu-
ant to which they met at the time of the Assembly, and the Commissary pro-
duced a Letter from your Lordship, wherein you left it to his discretion
whether he would apply for such a Law or not. I was much threatened that,
if I did not join in such application, it would not be made without me, so,
without any previous knowledge of the design, without the Clergy's being
acquainted with it beforehand, or so much as any time allowed for them to
prepare the Members of Assembly in their respective Parishes, or influencing
them with the reasonableness of it, an application was hurried on, and, what I
always suspected was the consequence, to be rejected. The Governor pre-
tends it is still under consideration, but it is plain it is rejected, and the reasons
for it are taken from your Lordship's own Letter, which was very indiscreetly
communicated as soon as received to everybody. Indeed, my good Lord, I
never knew an affair of so much consequence transacted with so much folly
in all my life, and when I told M*^. Wilkinson it would miscarry, & desired him
to consider better of it, he said the Gov"^ had interest enough to carry it, and
he was sure he did not want inclination, and his intimate friend, M'. Nicholls,
said If I did not join in it, and it should miscarry, the fault would be laid on
me. All this obliged me to concur with them, against my judgment, lest
your Lordship should be made believe that I was not hearty in the affair.
And as they thus drew me in to join in such application, so they told me it
was necessary, in order to succeed, that I should lay aside the prosecution I
had on foot against M^ Henry Hall, Rector of Saint James's, for threatening
your Lordship, & most audaciously contemning your authority and the exer-
cise of it, and for giving much scandal by Drunkenness. This, they said^
would very much influence the Assembly against the Jurisdiction, if not put
up, so, to take off any occasion, I desired he might profess his sorrow for the
offence he had given, and make his submission to your Lordship, and the pros-
ecution should be laid aside, which he refused, but offered to refer that to four
Clergymen, Mess'^ Alexander Williamson, James Williamson, Richard Sewell,.
Ill
[I7I8.
and George Ervin, to which I agreed, and they gave their opinions that he
should ask pardon for the words against your Lordship and your Jurisdiction ;
but he would not, but drew up a remonstrance to the Assembly, complaining
of your Lordship's Jurisdiction, and representing it as a grievance to the
Country, and threatened to prefer it, if I did not stop the proceedings against
him without any submission ; to which the Clergy all advised me, lest it should
any ways hinder the effect of our application, for which reason I took their
advice, lest the miscarriage should be imputed to me. Inclosed is a Copy of
the Articles against the said M'. Hall, and I could have proved every one of
them, had I not been drawn in to pass the prosecution. And after all these
compliances our application miscarried ; indeed, the Governor was not in
earnest. He thinks he has both pleased your Lordship by pretending he has
used his endeavors, and himself in that it miscarried.
But he was mighty earnest to have the matter against M^ Hall stopped,
and this was the proper time to threaten me out of it. M^ Hall and M'.
Thomas Cockshutt have most scandalously gone about the Country here
raising a faction against my Lord Baltimore, telling people he is a Roman
Catholic, and they offered to the Clergy a petition to your Lordship, to
endeavour to have the Government taken from him and given to the Governor,
which the Clergy refused to be concerned in, but this they knew would won-
derfully please him, for he is now playing his old Game against that noble
Lord, and representing him and his Guardian, the Lord Guilford, to be
Papists ; and, in short, has set the whole country in a Ferment here with the
cry of Danger from the Papists. There is not in reality the least Danger
from them, but M'. Hall, being very serviceable to him in these purposes,
makes him very dear to him.
Now, my Good Lord, I have faithfully acquainted you from time to time
how matters have gone with respect to the jurisdiction here, and as there is no
hopes of an Act of Assembly to support it, and your Lordship has been
pleased to order me not to set up a Court in form, I have faithfully obeyed
ever since the receipt of your Lordship's Letter, and my only endeavours for
the future shall be to keep a decorum amongst the Clergy.
What I suspected in my last about a representation of the Clergy against
me I find now to be true. Four of them have confessed it, and are very
sorry for it. Inclosed is a letter from them to your Lordship to quite contrary
purposes. Some of them told me how much they were solicited to it by the
I718.] 112
Governor, and that they durst not well deny it. Such practices as these are
very scandalous, but what can I expect when he does not spare his best
Friend, my Lord Baltimore ? I hope, both from your Lordship's goodness and
justice, an account of what is alleged against me, that I may be able to give
your Lordship full satisfaction of my conduct.
This has the honor to be conveyed by M^ Edward Calvert, Brother to my
Lord Baltimore, who will wait on your Lordship, and who can better inform
you of affairs here than I can in so short a Letter ; and yet presume not to
give your Lordship further trouble, well knowing you have much of this kind.
I humbly beg your Lordship's prayers for
May it please your Lordship,
Your most dutiful Son
and humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
JACOB HENDERSON to the Rev' D\ FRANCIS
ASTRT.
(EXTRACT.)
June 17, 1718.
You will perceive by my letter to his Lordship how affairs go here, and
what fortune our application to the Assembly for a Law to support the Juris-
diction was attended withall. I believe you know my thoughts of such appli-
cation by my last. One third of the Assembly are Dissenters, and the other
two very low. They opposed the Governor much when he was Governor
under Her Majesty Queen Anne (of Blessed memory), but they are now his
Creatures, and the party at present that he caresses and is supported by^
and how was it likely such a Law should be procured ? The Jurisdiction, in
my opinion, has lost more by such application than it will gain here in a long
time. The Country are now made to believe that it cannot take place with-
out such a Law, and they believe it, too, with a great deal of pleasure.
I understand that the Governor has made some complaints against me ta
113 [i7i8.
his Lordship, as Hkewise the Clergy. I hope, from his Lordship's Justice and
goodness, an account of what is alleged, and I no less depend on your candour
to forward it.
The Bishop of London to Commissary WILKINSON.
August 25'\ 1 71 8.
Rev° Brother,
I received your Letter of the 1 5"^ of April, with the particulars inclosed of
what passed in your last Assembly relating to my jurisdiction. I find great
reason to be thankful to your Governor for the part he took in that affair,
from the concern he then expressed to have it recognized, and the readiness
he always shews on all occasions to promote the interest of the Established
Church. I have ground to hope that, notwithstanding your proposals for that
intent were not compHed with, there may one time by his influence a way be
opened for you to answer all the good purposes of your Commission. How-
ever, by those cases you have entered into, and the requisite temper and
prudence you proceed with, I have the pleasure of seeing some of those ends
to a degree already obtained. To enjoin the observance of the Canon relat-
ing to Marriages, in order to prevent incest, I cannot conceive to be liable to
any cavil ; and as for M"^. Bayly's misbehaviour, and the scandal marrying in
private houses has been the occasion of, these are matters, I persuade my-
self, none among the Clergy, whom only they concern, will dispute your
cognizance of. I am concerned any of the obstructions laid in your way
should appear to have come from [this] quarter. If the disagreement be-
tween M', Henderson and his Brethren on the Western Shore, or his late
Carriage towards your Governors, have contributed to the ill success of your
endeavors, I am not without hopes that what I have wrote to him concerning
that subject will have that intended effect, produce a reconciliation, and dis-
pose him to act in concert with you hereafter.
For the rest, since there are objections lie against the exercise of powers
arising or pretending to arise from your Constitution, and real difficulties
attending it on account of the situation of the Country, as yet unremoved, I
would advise that you would act with caution and reserve ; the opposition
I7i8.] 114
you have met with, and the terrors some have, however, groundlessly sug-
gested, make such caution to be the more necessary. I shall not doubt but
you will make the Commission as useful as you can consistently with the Laws
of the Colony and the case of all concerned, and therefore hope you will not
think of resigning it into any other hand.
I have only farther to recommend to you In all your steps to take the
Governor along with you. We have the greatest assurance of his good dis-
position towards us and for the service of religion. I hear with a great deal
of satisfaction that M''. Nicolls' performance was so well approved of, and am
always glad when any of the Clergy gain credit and esteem. I commend you
all to God's grace and protection, and am.
Rev-* Sir,
Your assured friend & affectionate
Brother,
JOHN LONDON.
Rev. JACOB HENDERSON to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, Sepf 4'^ 1718.
May it please your Lordship,
I have not to add to the several I wrote to your Lordship about your Juris-
diction, save the inclosed Copy of the proceedings of the Visitation I held,
from time continued and adjourned. Your Lordship will receive them by the
hands of Tho' Macknamara, Esq", Proctor of Office, to whom I beg leave to
refer your Lordship for a full account of all affairs here.
I have several things of moment with relation to your jurisdiction that
cannot well be committed to writing, besides some other affairs require my
going for England. I humbly beg your Lordship's leave to come next Spring,
and that you would signify it to our Governor, and that it is your pleasure my
parish should be kept entire for me till my return, which shall be as quick as
possible, for I am apprehensive they will divide it in my absence, and it will
not bear a division yet. I shall procure it to be served, in my absence, by the
^^5 [i7i8.
neighbouring Clergy, so that there will be little detriment to the Church. I
hope from your Lordship's goodness that you will grant my request, and
believe that I am, with the greatest deference.
Your Lordship's most dutiful Son
and most humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
The Bishop of London to M\ HENDERSON.
SepfQ^ 1718.
Rev° Brother,
Yours dated December i;* came not to me till last week. I had some
time before received, with a deal of concern, some of those complaints you
imagine would be made against you for answer, to which I refer you to my
Letter wrote in Aug. last upon the subject of them, and for my sentiments.
Concerning a Seal of office and table of ffees I refer you to M^ Ffalconar, with
whom I had discourse about your erecting a Court.
I am heartily sorry to have complaints that either affect your Gov'' or your-
self, having been always inclined to believe both of you act uprightly, and I
am still satisfied if all that is personal between you were laid aside your pro-
ceedings would tend to the advantage of the Church and the benefit of the
Colony. Indeed, I can [not] easily enter into a belief that M''. Hart does any-
thing with design to affront my authority. I rather think his proceeding at your
late Assembly an evidence of the contrary, for though you with reason appre-
hend that it might have the appearance of giving up my jurisdiction to subject
it to a debate in your Assemblies, yet, as the steps then taken were only to
facilitate and make effectual that jurisdiction acknowledged on the part of
the Governor, and the methods proposed by him, such as I conceive could
not have been pursued without an Act of Assembly. . This gives that matter
another face.
As for the proper power to license Readers and grant Dispensations for
plurality of Livings, I cannot well judge of it, having not seen the act on
which you found my claim thereunto, nor determine anything till I hear the
Governor upon that head, who, you say, has the possession of that right.
I7I9-] ii6
Upon the whole, I wish you would mutually forget all past heats, and thajt
you would be desirous of standing in the same good esteem of M'. Hart
which he formerly had for you. I persuade myself you may yet be reconciled
to him upon fair terms, and the more earnestly recommend this to you for
that I look upon it to be the only means whereby the good purposes of my
jurisdiction can be in any degree answered. For as it is to take place in the
Colonies only so far as conveniently can be, and to judge of that convenience
will be always very much in the several Governors at least, I have reason to
fear, without their concurrence, what may be undertaken with the best views
in this Regard will, for the most part, fail of its effect, especially in matters
where the laity are affected. I do very much believe all your endeavours
proceed from a good intention, & should be very sorry any such should mis-
carry for want of that conduct which only can direct them to their end. I
commend you to God's protection, and am.
Rev" Sir,
Your assured friend & affec'* Bro"^,
J. L.
Vestrymen of Allhallows to the Bishop of London.
Aug"' I'', 1 719.
May it please your Lordship :
My Lord, — The Parish of Allhallows in Somerset County, in Maryland,
hav^ never enjoyed the great blessing of a constant or inducted Minister since
the Establishm' of the Church of EngP in the province, except about 2 years
we had M^ Wilkinson, who was sent over to us by the late Lord Bishop of
London upon our petition to his Lordship, but a vacancy happening in
another parish, about fourscore miles distant from us, something more valu-
able than ours, he left us as destitute as before. Now, seeing the constant
abode of a Dissenting Minister amongst us is likely to alienate the people
(being, alas! as a sheep with' a Shepherd) from the communion of the
Church, we, the Vestry of the said Parish, after having bought a Glebe of
near 400 acres of rich land, with a good dwelling-house, an apple orchard and
peach orchard of 1,000 trees, besides above 20,oooft)s weight of Tobacco
^^7 [1720.
yearly revenue, not accounting perquisites, do long for a spiritual pastor.
Having tried several methods to obtain one, all failing, we humbly conceive it
our duty to represent to your Lordship's consideration our misery through
the long continuance of the famine or scarcity of the Word of God in our
Church. Now, your Lordship's speedy help and supply in sending a Godly
Clergyman toward supporting the sinking Church and the Salvation of the
Souls of your poor desolate people is most earnestly desired and prayed for
by, my Lord, your Lordship's
Most humble, indigent people,
JOHN PURNELL & others.
Rev. CHRISTOPHER fFILKINSON to the Bishop of
London.
May 18, 1720.
Right Rev" Father in God,
Though I have received no Letters from your Lordship this year, yet I
could not omit writing by our Governor, whose departure I heartily lament.
He has zealously espoused your Lordship's authority and the interest of the
Church in this Province, and will best inform your Lordship of our not suc-
ceeding in obtaining the recognition of your Episcopal Jurisdiction according
to your desire and our endeavors.
I am in hopes your Lordship will supersede me in the Commission by
another better qualified to act herein. However, I shall proceed till then with
the utmost caution I can, because I know very well every step I take there-
in will be narrowly watched to find occasion for complaints. The greatest
discouragement I have is the loss of our Gov"', with whom I always advised,
and who was ever ready to assist & encourage my proceedings, & has
deserved much better treatment than he has met with from some who were as
nearly concerned as myself to promote your authority, of whom your Lordship
will receive a full character.
I am sorry to acquaint your Lordship that M"". Howell has, since my last
writing to you, been generally of such irregularity as not only opened the
1720.] ii8
mouths of his enemys, but silenced his very friends, nay. moved them to com-
plain of him, for which he has been admonished by me & some of my
Brethren. r /-i u
His Excellency will acquaint your Lordship with the state of our Church,
& what most hinders the execution of y' Commiss"- in this Province. I beg
your Lordship's blessing, and am
Your Lordship's most obed' Serv',
CH. WILKINSON.
M'. Commissary HENDERSON to the Clergy of Maryland.
May 2o'^ 1720.
Rev° Brethren,
It is reported you are at this time invited hither to consult upon things of
an extraordinary nature. So soon as I was apprised thereof I hasted to Town
to offer you my assistance, especially if there be anything under your consid-
eration that may in any way affect religion, or the promotion of the true
interests of our Church in this Province.
As I am well satisfied that nothing of that kind can be regularly intended
without notice to me, your diocesan's Commissary on this shore, so I hope
none of you are inclined to deviate so much from the discipline of the Church
and our own characters as to be led into any resolution upon affairs of that
nature without consulting me.
We have sufficient assurance from our noble Lord, the Proprietary, of his
utmost zeal & regard for our holy religion. My Rev"^ Brother, M'. Wilkinson,
& I have gratefully answered his Lordship's letter, but have not as yet oppor-
tunity to communicate it to our Rev** Brethren in a Body. I therefore submit
it to you whether it may not be proper for us, at this time, to consider our
duty thereupon.
I pray God nothing but the true interest of the Protestant Religion, as
established here, may be the subject of the present deliberation, which no
man alive can enter into with more truth and sincerity than I am disposed to
do ; with more steadiness and unbiassed resolution, as should be the distin-
119 [1720.
guishing badge of our profession ; and with more tenderness and brotherly
affection, as I am sincerely,
JACOB HENDERSON.
The Clergy of Maryland to M\ Commissary HEN-
DERSON.
May 2o'^ 1720.
M". Commissary,
We cannot but with gratitude acknowledge your care in offering us your
assistance in such affairs as you was informed were under our consideration,
which might any way affect religion or the promotion of the true interests of
our Church in this Province. This is nothing more than what might justly be
expected from your character, and the zeal you have always expressed for our
most holy Religion, which we doubt not you will always endeavour to promote
with truth & sincerity, with steadiness and unbiassed resolution, as become
the sacred character, and with tenderness and brotherly affection.
We all of us bear so great a regard to our diocesan, the Lord Bishop of
London, as well as to the person of his Commissary, & are so firmly attached
to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of which we have the honor to be
Ministers, that we are not, nor ever were, inclined to deviate therefrom, nor
shall we, we trust, be led into any resolution upon any affairs of that nature
contrary thereto.
As we have not hitherto departed from the discipline of the Church or our
own characters, so neither was it the intent of our meeting at this time to
consult upon things of an extraordinary nature, nor were we invited hither
upon any such account. Our Meeting was altogether voluntary upon the
score of that duty which we conceive lay upon us, to take leave of his Excel-
lency our Governor before his departure from the Province, and to acknowl-
edge the favors he had, from time to time, conferred upon us, which, we hope,
cannot be accounted a thing of an extraordinary nature.
Besides this we have consulted upon nothing, except that we have drawn
up a short Letter to his Lordship, our Diocesan, which we are ready to com-
1720.] I20
municate to your Reverence, when you shall please to require it, and which
we promise ourselves will not be interpreted a reflection upon any person
whatsoever, or any contempt of his Lordship's Commission ; and we doubt
not your Reverence's concurrence with us therein upon perusal thereof.
We have perused his Lordship's the Lord Proprietary's Letter to your
Reverence and your Brother Commissary, the Rev"* M''. Wilkinson, wherein
his Lordship assures us that he has nothing more at heart than the Protestant
establishment, and that he will do all that in him lies to encourage and favor
the Church of England as by law established, for which great and wise decla-
ration we are ready at all times to shew our acknowledgments, and should now
enter into such measures as, after consultation with your reverence, should be
thought proper to express our duty thereupon, did not the time of the week,
so near a close, require our return to our respective cures.
We are,
M^ Commissary,
Your Reverence's, &c.,
Henry Hall, Sam"- Skippon, Jonathan Cay,
Tho^ Cockshutt, Will. Maconchie, Giles Rainsford.
John Frazier,
Af. Commissary HENDERSON to the Clergy of Maryland.
May 2o'\ 1720.
Rev" Brethren,
I am extremely obliged to you for so seasonably obviating the reports
that have prevailed on the score of the present Meeting, You may think
that my having no notice of it joined to them, should in reason make me
suspect at least something extraordinary, especially when my tender regard
as well as great affection was with you ; and I am sure the great respect so
ardently expressed to our right Rev^ Diocesan and the person of his Com-
missary has sufficiently compensated my care.
I had no intent to charge any of you, my Rev"* Brethren, for deviating
from the discipline of the Church or your sacred character, but humbly to put
121
[1720.
you in mind of it, lest, as I suspected from the grounds above, you should be
led into anything of an extraordinary nature without consulting me, & I am
much obliged to you for the offer you make of communicating what you have
writ to his Lordship the Bishop of London, our Diocesan, and do heartily
embrace it, hoping we shall conclude our present intercourse with an amicable
and brotherly conversation, free from all suspicion of one another, and may
never any occasion be given for anything of that nature for time to come.
I agree with you entirely that his Lordship the Proprietary's Letter con-
tains a wise and great declaration in the terms there expressed, & hope you
will advise the proper time for our just acknowledgments, as also for consult-
ing what further may be necessary for the increase of the Protestant religion
established among us.
I am, with great respect, Rev"* Gentlemen, &".,
JACOB -HENDERSON.
M\ President BROOKE to M\ Commissary HEN-
DERSON.
June 2 5'^ 1720.
Reverend Sir,
Having an account of your design to meet your Reverend Brethren at
Annapolis, the 28*'' instant, to consult the affairs of our Church, wherein I
heartily wish you success, I take the opportunity of assuring you that my best
wishes attend you, and that nothing in my power shall ever be wanting to con-
tribute towards the support of our holy religion so long as I have the honor
to administer the Government of this Province, wherein I hope nobody will
question my sincerity, having through the whole course of my life given all
the testimonys of it I could, and had I no other motives or obligations than a
due regard to my good Lord proprietor's inclinations, I could not without the
highest breach of Trust but wish his Lordship have the good and prosperity
of the Church of England, as by law established, at heart ; and I cannot but
congratulate your Reverence and your Brethren on the assurances already
given yourself and your Reverend Brother Commissary by his Lordship, and
sincerely wish a constant intercourse of good offices between him and you, of
1720.] 122
support and protection from him, and from you duty and fidelity, which none
shall more zealously endeavor to contribute towards than,
Rev'' Sir, &^,
THOMAS BROOKE.
The Clergy of Maryland to M\ President BROOKE,
June 29'^ 1720.
HoN^'-^ Sir,
We have, with the greatest satisfaction, been favored with your Honor's
Letter, the purport of which is, in great measure, well known to us.
We heartily congratulate your Honor and ourselves on the happy inter-
course of good offices betwixt our Lord Proprietary and the Church in this
Province. Nothing shall be wanting on our parts to show how sensible we
are of our duty to his Lordship and your Honor, and beg leave to assure you
that we are, by duty and inclination,
Hon'ble Sir, &^,
Jacob Henderson, Com"^, Evan Evans, D.D.,
Will. Machonchie, Samuel Skippon,
Giles Rainsford, Henry Hall,
Joseph Colebatch, Thomas Cockshutt.
John Eraser,
Clergy of the Western Shore to Lord BALTIMORE,
June 29'^ 1720.
May it please your Lordship,
We, the Clergy of the Western shore of the Province of Maryland, beg
leave with grateful hearts to make our just acknowledgments to your Lord-
ship for the great regard you pay to our order, and those other expressions of
favour contained in your Lordship's letter to the Right Rev'' the Lord Bishop
of London's Commissaries in this Province, and communicated to us.
123 [1720.
We rejoice in it, both as our glory and our happiness, that we live under an
administration, the head whereof has declared that he has nothing more at
heart than the Protestant establishment, and that he will do all that in him
lies to encourage & favor the Church of England as by law established ;
these great and wise declarations shall always meet with a suitable return of
duty and affection from us, and we shall take care to instil the same sentiments
into others with whom we converse.
We are at the same time favored with a letter from your Lordship's
President, assuring us of his utmost zeal and care for our Church, which we
are highly sensible of, and shall always endeavor to approve ourselves.
May it please your Lordship, &".,
Jacob Henderson, Evan Evans, D.D., WiL. Machonchie,
Samuel Skippon, Giles Rainsford, ■ Henry Hall,
Joseph Colebatch, Tho' Cockshutt, John Eraser.
Rev. M". HENDERSON to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, July 16, 1720.
May it please your Lordship,
I was in hopes to have made my acknowledgments in person for your
Lordship's License to come for England before this time, but the state of my
affairs has hitherto prevented me. It is almost incredible how far M"". Hart's
malice carried him, even to affect in an unusual and extraordinary manner
the little estate I have got here, but I thank God we have now got rid of him,
and may he never return more to us in the quality of Governor. I heartily
forgive him the injuries he has done me, but were he to return again many
Gendemen, as well as myself, would be obliged to sell, and be gone from
hence. I could give many instances of his malicious treatment of myself and
others, nay, his Patron and best friend, the Lord Proprietary of this Province,
but I presume it is ungrateful to your Lordship to read, as it is really so to
me to write it.
What is now incumbent on me is to give your Lordship the trouble of the
inclosed papers, which will, in a great measure, inform you of our present
1720.] 124
state. The Lord Proprietarie's Letter to my Brother Commissary and me
shows how ready he is to succour the Clergy. The Hon^'* the President's
Letter is really a true account of what he has transacted in all capacities, a
great lover of the Church and all honest men, and our returns to both is not,
I think, short in expressions of duty and gratitude.
Governor Hart, a litrie before his departure, invited the Clergy to Anna-
polis, without any notice to me. It was reported he intended them to address
either the King or your Lordship against the Lord Proprietary. I thought
such proceeding would be unbecoming them, therefore I went to Annapolis
and bespoke them, as your Lordship will see by the enclosed of the 20"^ of
May. Their answer and my reply shows the good understanding between
us, notwithstanding the endeavours used to prevent it.
We had no meetings on the Western shore for a considerable time before,
nor was it at all possible for me to accompHsh anything for the good of the
Church during M'. Hart's administration, for his aim was only to draw the
Clergy into projects against me, as is well known to your Lordship from the
complaints made at our last, and indeed first visitation, and since fully
answered by me ; but now I hope things will go smoothly, and that a good
decorum will be preserved among us. I have made a beginning towards it,
as your Lordship will perceive by my speech to the Clergy 28"' of June, and
we have agreed to meet once a year to keep up our resolutions in the points
therein contained. There was but a few that met, the rest sent such excuses
as we thought reasonable to allow of.
This is all that I have at present to trouble your Lordship withall, and I
hope the matters therein will receive your Lordship's approbation, which I
shall rejoice in, as well as always to be,
May it please your Lordship, &".,
JACOB HENDERSON.
125 [1720.
Governor BROOKE to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, iS"* July, 1720.
My Lord,
The Government here being in me at present under the Lord Proprietor,
I take it to be my indisputable duty to do all I can to promote the true
interest of the Church of England established in this Province, as well as I
am firmly attached to it by my judgment and inclination,
I with great pleasure congratulate your Lordship on the happy prospect
we have (by the good conduct and example of your Commissary, the Rev*
M^ Henderson) of putting an end to the unhappy disputes that were on
purpose raised among the Clergy about matters that no way concerned their
duty (viz*), endeavours to misrepresent our Lord Proprietor. And I can with
great truth say that no nobleman can do more than his Lordship has done to
convince us all of his regard and zeal for the Protestant religion and Interest.
As this is an happy prospect, and promises me much ease and satisfaction
so long as I shall have the honor of governing, so I humbly pray your Lord-
ship's assistance to perfect so good beginnings by your paternal Injunctions
to the Clergy to promote and forward them. They shall never want what
service I can do them, nor shall I omit any opportunity to demonstrate that
I am, my Lord, &".,
THQs BROOKE.
Rev. Mr. TXJSTIAN to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
* * * But, at the same time, hope that the great expence I was at
in attending your Board for two months before I was admitted missionary,
and the like great expence I have since been at by being in a manner obliged
to quit the Province I was sent to so soon by reason of the unhappiness of
the times there, will be taken into consideration, especially since I am still
1722.]
126
engaged in the same pious work, though in a different place, and may rather
be said to have eased the Society of a charge than to have deserted their
Service, there being perhaps nowhere, I am sure not in Carolina, more want
of Orthodox Clergy than there is here, for to saying nothing of the ignorance
and sensuality of our people here. There are in some Counties two or three
Popish priests, who are allowed the free exercise of their Religion for one of
the Church of England. I shall add nothing more, but that I am.
Sir,
Y"" most humble Servant,
TUSTIAN.
From St. Margaret's, West-
minster, in Ann Arundel Coun-
ty, near Annapolis, in Mary-
land, July I9'^ 1 721.
Articles of Enquiry exhibited to the Churchwardens at the
Visitation held May the
Church in Talbot County.
30 J
1722, in St. Peters
ARTICLE i^'. — Concerning the Church and Chapel.
i^'. Is your Parish Church and Chapel in good and sufficient repair
decently kept, as befitteth the House of God ?
2^. Is there a font for the administration of baptism in the usual place
appointed, and a convenient table for the use of the Lord's Supper ? If there
be not, you are to provide and make such against the next visitation.
3''. Have you a reading-desk and pulpit conveniently set up and placed
for the use of public prayer ?
4*''. Have you a Glebe & Glebe house belonging to your Parish Church ?
Is the said house kept in good repair, and are the Gardens and Orchards well
fenced and dressed ?
127 [1722.
ARTICLE 2^. — Concerning the Clergy.
1^ Doth the Minister read the full service according to the direction of
the Common Prayer Book, or doth he negligently and in contempt of the
order of the Church omit or add to the same ?
2^. Doth he baptize Infants and grown persons according to the Order of
the Common Prayer when they are brought to the Church on Sundays or
Holydays, and not in private houses but in case of sickness only ?
3"^. Doth he visit the sick at their houses when required ?
4"". Doth he marry any within the degrees prohibited, or without License,
or bans published three several Sundays or holidays ; and doth he marry in
any other place than the Church, and betwixt the hours of eight and twelve in
the forenoon only ?
5*. Is your Rector a Lecturer, a man of a sober life & unblameable con-
versation ? Is your Lecturer licensed according to the Laws of this Prov-
ince ?
ARTICLE 3*^. — Concerning Parishioners.
1=". Is there any person in your Parish who is an open and notorious evil
liver ? who is a common swearer or drunkard, or guilty of any other notorious
crime or wickedness of life that offends the Congregation ?
2^. Is there any who disturbs the service or sermon by walking or talking,
by going into and out of the Church unseasonably? Do they behave them-
selves decently and reverently, kneeling or standing in time of divine service
as is appointed in the rubrick of the Common Prayer Book ?
3^. Do they diligently resort to divine service and Sermons on Sundays,
or do any of them spend the Lord's day in tipling and drinking, or loitering
at home, and neglecting to come to the public worship of God in their Parish
Church or Chapel ?
4'^ Are there any in your Parish married within the Degrees prohibited
by the Laws of God and of this Province ?
5'*". Doth any teach school in your Parish without License, or neglect to
teach his Scholars the Church Catechism ?
CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON, Commissary.
1722.]
128
CHARACTER OF THE CLERGY IN MARYLAND.
Clergymen' s Names on
Western Shore.
Parishes.
Counties.
Jacob Henderson,
Giles Rainsford, .
John. Eraser, . .
Sam' Skippon, .
Joseph Colbatch, . .
Peter Tustian, . . .
James Williamson, . .
Jonathan Cay, . . .
Mr. Tibbs, . . . .
One Parish Vacant by
the death of Dr.
Evans,
W" Machonchie, . .
Commissary of St. Bar-
nabas,
Rector of St. Paul's, . .
Rector of King George's,
Rector of St. Ann's, An-
napolis,
Westminster Parish, Va-
cant,
Rector of All Hallowes,
Of St. James's, . . .
Rector of All Saints',
Rector of Christ Church,
Rector of St. Paul's, . .
John Donaldson,
Robt Scott, . .
Leigh Massey, .
Rector of Port Tobacco
& Durham, . . .
Rector of King & Queen,
Rector of All Faiths',
Rector of St. Mary's,
Prince George,
Prince George,
Prince George,
Ann Arundel, .
Ann Arundel.
Ann Arundel, .
Ann Arundel, .
Calvert, . .
Calvert, . .
Baltimore, . .
Do.
Charles,
St. Mary's,
Do.
Do.
A Tory.
A stickler for the present
happy establishment.
A Whig.
A Whigj & an excellent
scholar & good liver.
A Whig, & one of the
best of men.
A stranger lately come
from S. Carolina.
An Idiot & Tory.
A Whig, & an excellent
scholar & good man.
A Whig.
A mighty stickler for the
present establishment.
A Grand Tory & a Rake.
A Whig & a good Chris-
tian.
A stranger lately arrived.
129
[1722,
CHARACTER OF THE CLERGY IN MARYLAND.
Clergymen's Names on
Eastern Shore.
Parishes.
Counties.
Christopher Wilkinson,
Commissary of St. Paul's,
Queen Anne, . .
A Whig & a truly good
Henry Nichols, . . .
Rector of St. Michael's,
Do.
A Whig & one of the best
of men.
Danl. Mainadier, . .
Rector of St. Peter's, .
Talbot, . . . .
A Whig of the first rank,
and reputed a good
liver, but a horrid
preacher.
Mr. Howell, . . . .
Rector of Cambridge,
Dorchester, . .
A stranger to me.
Thos. Robinson, . .
Rector of Coventry, . .
Somerset, . . .
A Grand Tory.
One Parish Vacant, . .
Do.
Do.
Alexander Williamson,
Rector of St. Paul's, . .
Kent, . . . .
A Whig & a devout Chris-
tian, but an indifferent
preacher.
One Parish Vacant,
Shrewsbury,
Kent.
Vacant, . . . . .
Oeorge Ross, ....
All Dorsette.*
Cecil, . . . .
Rector of St. Mary Anne,
A Tory & belongs to the
Society.
Richard Sewell, . . .
Rector of St. Stephen's,
Do
A stranger to me, and his
character so too.
Thos. Phillips, . . .
Rector of Christ Church,
Kent Island, . .
Tried for his life in Vir-
ginia for shooting a
man. Reformed.
* Not so. See Cambridse. — E. A.
1722.]
I30
The Names of the Clergy and of their respective Parishes on
the Western Shore in Maryland, ^I'^Z'
Jacob Henderson,
John Fraser, ....
Giles Rainsford, . . .
Samuel Skippon, . .
Peter Tustian, . . .
Mr. Joseph Colebatch, ,
Westminster Parish, Va-
cant. 26,000 in To-
bacco yearly, which
amounts to, at 10 shil-
lings '^ hundred, or
5 pound a thousand,
130 pounds sterling.
James Williamson,
Jonathan Cay, .
Leigh Massey, .
John Donaldson,
Mr. Robert Scott,
William Machonchie, ,
William & Mary Parish,
Vacant, & only 12,-
000 in Tobacco year-
ly,
Mr. Tibbs,
Another Parish Vacant
in the same County.
28,000 in Tobacco
yearly.
Rector of St. Barnabas, an Irish man.
Rector of King George's Parish, Scotch-
man,
Rector of St. Paul's, Lancashire,
Rector of St. Ann's, An-
napolis, Irish, . . .
Rector of St. James's,
Warwickshire, . . .
Rector of All Hallows,
Derbyshire, . . '' . .
Ann Arundel
County.
Rector of All Saints', Scotch, . . .
Rector of Christ Church Parish, . .
Rector of St. Mary's Parish, Lancashire,
Rector of , Scotch,
Rector of All Faiths', Kentish Man,
Rector of Durham Parish, Scotch, .
Rector of St. Paul's Parish, in
Commissary.
■ Prince George's County.
{The place where the Cler-
gy meet on occasions on
this shore is Annapolis.
) Northum- ( Calvert
5 berland, ( County.
St. Mary's County.
Charles County.
Charles County.
Baltimore County.
^31 [1722.
QUERIES.
ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES.
EXTRACT OUT OF THE LAWS
OF SUCH AS RELATE TO THE
CHURCH CLERGY AND SCHOOLS.
CHARTER OF MARYLAND.
Western Shore of Maryland.
Queries to be answered by the Persons who were Commissaries to my
Predecessor.
i". What Publick Acts of Assembly have been made and Confirmed,
Relating to y® Church or Clergy w^'in y* Governm' ?
Ans. The Publick Acts now in Force Relating to the Church, Clergy, and
Schools are hereunto annexed.
2^. How oft hath it been usual to hold a visitation of y® Clergy ? How oft
have you called a Convention of them, and what hath been y^ business ordi-
narily done, and y^ Method of Proceeding in such Meetings ?
Ans. My Commission bears datey^ 16''' day of Feb^ 171 5- I Rec'ed it in
1722.] 132
April following. I Convened y^ Clergy for their advice and opinion in it, who
Thought y" Jurisdiction would be opposed by y" Country, & advised me not
to set it up ; I Communicated this their advice to the then Lord Bishop of
London, who by his Letter to me of y"= 14* of March, !•]% ordered y' I should
set ab* Executing y^ Powers of my Commission, as soon as y* I rec'ed that his
Letter, w"* assurance y', if any obstructions were laid in y= way, they should be
effectually removed in a little time.
Upon this ord"^ & assurance I had y® Clergy & Churchwardens summoned,
and held a visitation on Wednesday, y* 4* of Decemb'', 171 7, w"'' was Con-
tinued y^ next day, & from thence adjourned to Tuesday, y' 25"" of Feb^
following, and from Thence to March y"' 1 3"' to finish y* business.
The Church- Wardens were sworn, & had Articles of Inquiry delivered
them. There began a new face upon Things, order & Decency among both
Clergy & Laity was most likely to be the Consequence.
The Clergy produced their letters of ord", licenses, and Instrum'^ of Pre-
sentation. Those of them who hold two Parishes were advised to take out a
dispensation according to y^ Act of Assembly for Establishm' of Religious
Worship, and y'= vestries of vacant Parishes were admonished to provide
proper persons for Readers during y"= vacancy, to be examined & Lycenced
by y= ordinary according to y* afores^ Act.
While Matters were thus Transacting I rec'ed another Letter from his
Lordship of y^ 5* of Octo'', 1 71 7, w'''' order^ me not to set up a Court in Form,
but keep w'^n the bounds the Commissaries in y" other Colonies confined
themselves to. Till he had certain Information that his Commission would be
allowed by y® Governm' here to Reach further than the Inspection into the
manners & behaviour of y" Clergy.
This put a stop to any further proceedings in Form, and I was advised y'
other proceedings than in form could not be Justified.
In y* Mean time an application was made by The Commissaries & Clergy
to y" assembly here, for an Act to facilitate y* Execution of y^ L^ Bishop of
London's Jurisdiction. But they were not inclined to pass such an Act. The
application (tho' I joyned in it) was against my opinion and Judgm', fore-
seeing that y'= Consequence would be their Refusal, and y' would render any
endeavours to keep a decorum among y'= Clergy & Laity precarious and use-
less, w'^'' has happened accordingly. Most People Concluding from thence that
there is no ground or foundation for such a Jurisdiction.
^33 [1722.
Thus I was prevent^ from getting any knowF^* of y^ disorders y' affected
y^ Church, and Consequently from Redressing them. The Churchwardens
were never afterward summoned to give answers to the articles of Inquiry.
There were then two Clergymen under Prosecution, The Rev*^ M^ Henry
Hall, for most outragiously contemning y* Jurisdiction & habitual drunken-
ness, but being since dead, I waive any further account of it. The other, The
Rever-i M'. W"' Tibbs, Rector of St. Paul's, in Baltemore Cou'^, upon Com-
plaint of y* then Govern'^, Coll. John Hart, in writing exhibited, who still
remains Incorrigible, and would not be prevail'd on to regard the Gov"^'^
Letter, the Assembly's summons ab' dividing his Parish, nor mine when I
wrote to him to appear, to sattisfie them ab' y* service of His Cure.
Afterwards I convened y* Clergy once a year ; the business was to conferr
with them ab' y^ discharge of our ministerial Function. The following speech
I made to them shows y* particulars, and these afterwards were y* subject of
our Communications. Some addresses indeed were made to the Right Hon'''^
the Lord Proprietarie & the Gov^ which were occasioned by a letter from his
LordPP to y* Clergy, and mentioned in y* beginning of y^ speech as follows :
Tke Speech to y' Clergy 28'* of June, 1721.
Rev° Brethren,
Our Meeting Together at this time is effect of y* Consultation at our Inter-
view y^ 20"" of May last. Then was presented to you a Letter from our Noble
Lord y^ Proprietarie of this Province, wherein he assures you of y* great
regard he has for y"" order, That he hath nothing more at heart than the
Protestant Establishm', and y' he will do all y' in him lies to Incourage &
favour y* Church of England as by law Established. This you were pleased
to say was a great & wise declaration, and y' you were ready at all times to
show Y acknowledgm'', and I think (indeed) that less cannot well be expected
from us, since his Condescention, in taking notice of us, has prse-existed any
expressions of our Duty to him. But this, I hope, wee shall sufficiently make
up, in our future Conduct, by Instilling into y^ minds of all y' wee are con-
cern'd for a Just Notion of his Right & their Duty to him, under his most
sacred Maj"* King George. By this wee shall render ourselves (I dare say)
most acceptable to both, as well as most easy & happy to ourselves. Nothing
yielding more quiet to an honest mind than the faithfull discharge of itself in
matters of Justice & duty, w"" Integrity & unbiassed Circumspection.
1722.] 134
When wee shall acquit ourselves in this point so Incumbent on us, it is
very necessary & requisite wee should Consult y^ more Immediate affairs
that concern our common Interest & Duty; How wee shall best promote
Religion & the ends of our sacred Function, and in Regard to this (I think)
wee ought to fix on these following resolutions :
First, wee should resolve to be more than ordinary diligent in Catachetical
Instructions ; this is y* Groundwork of all, inasmuch as y^ knowledge of true
Religion is in y* first place necessary, so a short system of y* Essential Points
should be fixed on y^ memory, in order to support and maintain such knowl-
edge in y° soul ; and therefore our business being to watch for y* souls of
men, we ought diligently to Inculcate such necessary Instruction.
Secondly, a more frequent administration of the Sacram' of the Lord's
Supper than usual w* most of us, should be endeavoured, since it solemnly
tyes up men, & obliges them to y" observation of y* Baptismal Covenant, since
it exhibits to God, & man, too, the memorial of Christ's death, and by y'
means prevails on y'^ one, and disposes y'= other, for y* Influencies of Divine
Grace ; Nay, I may say, since it is the great Christian service, and the bond of
Love & Charity, we Cannot oftner meet together to worship God, than it
would be necessary to participate of that Divine Ordinance. But to y* want of
a sufficient Number to communicate may (I presume) be attributed our seldom
Communions ; yet in some parishes there is a great perfection attained to in
it. Therefore, 'tis to be hoped y' y^ diligent application would, if not soon, yet
in good time be attended w**" success.
Thirdly, a constant Celebration of Divine Service on Sundays is duely
performed (I doubt not) in all y" parishes, as also sermons for y* Instruction
of the People ; Let us likewise resolve solemnly to bid Holydays, or y^
festivals & fasts of y* Church, & Celebrate them according to y* Canon. It
must be a great ornament certainly to our Profession strictly to observe the
duties of those seasons, frequently to humble ourselves before God w''' fasting
& prayer, to Meditate on y* Misteries of our Redemption, & to thank God
for y^ Labours of y* Apostles, and for y" Miraculous Gifts he bestowed on
them in order to Convert y'= world. And if wee ought to be Punctual in y^
duties, so in y" seasons too, since they cannot be performed but in certain
seasons ; and then none more proper than those appointed by y* Church, it
being our duty to obey our Spiritual Govern", and to submit ourselves to
their decent & orderly Decisions.
^35 [1722,
Fourthly, a strict adherence, as far as may be, to y* rules & orders of our
Church should be resolved on, for besides that it is our Duty, and y' wee are
under Solemn Tyes & obligations to it, so doth y* Contrary Practice bring a
great scandal on our Church, and Tends much to weaken & undermine its
happy Constitutions, for if wee are negligent in y= observation of them, what
can be concluded from thence by both our friends & enemies, but y' wee little
regard them, and think them useless & vain; and then y' such should be
strictly Injoyned by -f Church must certainly be a great Reflection either on
her or us ; nothing more Natural than this way of Reasoning.
Lastly, wee should resolve not to interfere in y* business of one another's
Parishes, except at the Desire or Request of y* Minister thereof, for it will
undoubtedly be either a door to Confusion or bring upon y" practisers of it y^
scandall of pursuing filthy Lucre, or both.
The above particulars. Rev** Brethren, I think are worthy to be y® subject
of our present resolutions, and I recommend them to you as such, and hope
you'll Concurr w* me in them, as also in a resolution to take a strict Care of
our Conduct & behaviour, y' wee may adorn y' Doctrine of our Holy
Religion w* an Exemplary life & Conversation ; the Consequence of all
which must in reason be the blessing of God upon our Labours, the approba-
tion of our Right Reverend Diocesan ; and I assure you you shall never want
y^ Brotherly Care nor affection of, Rever^ Gentlemen,
Y' Most affectionate Brother & most Humble Serv',
JACOB HENDERSON.
To w'^'' Speech the Clergy replyed as follows :
Wee heartily assent to, and to y* utmost of our power, and as far as y*
Circumstances of y® Country permits, will comply w"' the above articles, and
pray that y'' Reverence will be pleased to transmitt Copies of them to all the
Brethren.
W" Machonchie, Rector of Durham,
Evan Evans, D.D., Rector of S'. John's & S'. George.
JoNA" Cay, Rector of Christ Church, in Calvert Cou'^.
Sam'-'- Skippon, Rector of S'. Ann's, at Annapolis.
W"" TiBBS, Rector of S'. Paul's Parish, Baltemore Cou'^.
Giles Ransford, Rector of S'. Paul's Parish, Prince
Geo. Cou'y.
I722.J 136
Besides The Conferences at y^ yearly Convention, Wee considered y*
Case of y'= Orphans & widows of Clergymen, and in regard y' wee had an
ace' from William & Mary Parish, in S'. Mary's Cou'^, of their grievous
Circumstances by reason of their Long vacancy & distance from y^ Clergy
next to them, above thirty miles ; that their Children died w"'out Baptism,
their sick w^'out y'= Comfort or assistance of a spiritual Guide, and the whole
deprived for three or four years of y^ benefit of Publick Divine service, w"""
was likely to give a great Harvest to y"^ Popish Superstition so Rampant in
those parts. Wee therefore made offer of our Service to them (w'^'' our Gov^
always ready to do what service he can for Religion) recommended to y'= vestry
to accept off, and to allow us one half of y® yearly income for such service.
Wee served eight months of y"' year, and gave the profifits to y^ orphan of a
Clergyman ; this in the year 1721, and y* next year wee performed the same
services in that parish in behalf of two orphans, daughters of y" Former In-
cumbent.
Such as these were y^ matters Transacted in our Convention, and some
applications to y* assembly w" wee found ourselves anywise grieved, or the
Interest of y'^ Church likely to be lost ; as in y^ case of Glebes, some have
been escheated for want of sufficient words in wills, and it was at our Instance
y* the act for securing of Lands left to y^ Church was made.
3**. Does any Clergyman officiate who has not y"= Bishop's License for y'
Governm' ?
Ans. There is not any Clergyman y' officiating on y^ Western Shore but
has a licence from y** Bishop of London ; some have not a licence directly for
this Governm', but the custom has been here to receive y* licence in general,
and to admit to a benefice upon it whether it were for this Governm' or any
other Colony in y* Plantations.
4"^. What Parishes are there w'^"' have yet no Church nor Minister ?
Ans. There is one Church at least in every Parish. There are three
vacant Parishes on y* Western Shore ; two in Baltimore county, St. George's
and St. John's. These two have been united under four incumbents succes-
sively by y"= constant engagement of y'= several vestrys, as by y* act for estab-
lishm' of Religious Worship such power is given. The two are but a comfort-
able subsistance. The other, William & Mary Parish, in Charles County,
the forty ^ Poll whereof is not a sufficient competency, they have never had
a Minister. The Neighbouring Minister, M^ Machonchie, officiates sometimes.
'^2)7 [1722.
5'". How is the revenue of 7"= Ch^ applied w"" arises during y= vacancies ?
Ans. The act for establishm' of Religious Worship made no provision for
y« application of it, but by a later act Intituled an act to declare how the forty
pounds of Tobacco ^ poll in such parishes where there is no incumbent shall
be disposed of, it is there provided that y« vestry shall dispose of it towards
repairing and finishing the Church, and purchasing a pulpit cloth and other
utensills, or if all these things done, then to purchase a glebe and to stock it,
as in the s"^ act more at large appears. But I must observe that this Revenue
is miserably Mismanaged, for y' most part Imbezled away, and tho' there is
another act Intituled an act Impoweri'ng y* Commissioners of y^ Cou'^ Courts to
levy and raise tobacco to defray y" necessary charges of their Counties and
parishes, whereby it is provided y' where no Incumbent is, there the vestry-
men shall keep a fair ace* of the disposition of the forty ^ poll, and a true
Copy thereof, under the hands of the Principal vestryman & four of his breth-
ren of longest standing, shall yearly and every year be transmitted to the Gov-
ernour and Council of this Province for their Inspection, under the penalty of
one thousand pounds of tobacco. Tho', I say, this provision is made ag' Im-
bezling it, yet (upon y* strictest Inquiry I can make) it appears that there has
not been as yet one ace' transmitted to the Governour and Council for their
Inspection.
Formerly when there subsisted but the one act for Establishm' of Religious
Worship, the next Incumb' had some part of w' arose during y'= vacancy, in
consideration of attendance on y= Bishop of London for necessary powers and
other expences in coming hither, w'='' was in my opinion very equitable, and yt
usually by authority of y* Gov"" and Council. It is pitty, in my opinion, there
was not some part of it now to be disposed of towards inviting and Incour-
aging able Ministers to come over and reside among us.
6th. 3Vhat are the ordinary prices of y'= necessaries of life there ?
Ans. Wee have no Market except at Annapolis, the Capitol of this Province,
and there but a poor one ; our staple is Tobacco, and people are mostly Im-
ploy'd ab' that. Those who have plantations raise on them Beef, Pork, fowls,
Indian Corn, wheat, Pease and beans. There are orchards on most plantations,
and in general People make some syder. Those who have not plantations are
hard put to it for such things, and pay very dear for them ; the price some-
times more sometimes less. It is Impossible to fix on the prices they are so
variable according to the circumstances of the Trade of the Province.
1722.] 138
Our Cloathing, household furniture, Malt, beer, sugar, spice. Coffee, Tea,
and such Things generally come from England, and are sold by y* merch'^ here
at above one hundred ^ cent. The expense of living here is generally valued
doubl. w' it is in England.
7"". Can you suggest anything that may be serviceable to Religion, and
conduce to y'= ease of y° clergy, and their more comfortable subsistence, w"''
you believe to be fairly practicable, & w'^'' will no ways Interfere w"" y' author-
ity of y^ Govern', nor be judged an Infringm' of y® Rights of the People ?
Ans. It is hard to suggest anything that would not be Interpreted either
to interfere with the authority of the Governour or an Infringm' on y*= Rights
of the People. However, I have made some observations on y® several acts
of assembly, to be taken notice there.
But what I would propose as y^ greatest service y' can be done for Relig-
ion and the ease of the Clergy is, That a Bishop should be sent for this
Province to reside in it, to have solely y* inspection of it, and a Charge it will
be sufficient for any one man.
Many disorders happen, differences between the Clergy and their parishes,
Infringments on each other's Rights and duties that raise such misunderstand-
ings as are seldom totally removed. When parishes become vacant, they
commonly continue so for a long time, except they are filled at y* expence of
another. Children unconfirmed, w^** makes it difficult to get Godfathers and
Godmothers, and an entire want of discipline, except w' is pretended to by
laymen. The vestry's very assuming in this particular, w''*' makes our struggles
many and great, and our lives altogether uncomfortable ; all w'^'' occasions
great confusions to y^ vast detrim' of our Church and Growth of other Com-
munities.
It will not, I presume, be taken amiss^^if I should propose w' in my opinion
might probably be accomplished for y^ support & maintenance of his Dignity.
The Commissary's office for Probate of Wills and Test^ is worth here (under-
rated) six hundred pounds sterl. a year. I cannot think but that the Influence
of the present Lord Bishop of London, joyned w* that of y* Hon. Society for
Propagation of y^ Gospel], is powerfull enough w*'' y^ L*^ Baltemore, y* Proprie-
tarie of this Province, to procure the settlement of y' office on a Bishop, an
application to him is (in my humble opinion) the more reasonable because in
his Charter he has Licence and power to build Churches, Chappells & ora-
torys in Conven' and fit places, and cause them to be dedicated and conse-
139 [1722.
crated, according to y* Ecclesiastical laws of England. A Copy of his Charter
is annexed.
Now this office, w*"" ab' fifteen hundred acres of Land, twenty slaves, and a
stock of cattell, hoggs, sheep, and other necessaries for such a plantation,
would support the dignity of a bishop very handsomly in this country, above
any person in it, except y* Gov^ The plantation would support his Table w*
provision, and y' office all other necessaries, in a splendid Condition, and
money to spare.
I further humbly propose, y' for y^ Reasons given in y* observations upon
y* three acts (The Titles whereof are hereafter mentioned) an application be
made to his Maj'* to Dissent to them (viz'). The
Act Impowering y* Commiss" of y* Cou'^ Courts to levy and raise Tobacco
to defray y** necessary Charges of their Countys & Parishes.
Act Impowering y* Justices of y° several County Courts to Regulate y^
bounds of y'= several parishes, and for ascertaining y^ time & manner when &
how The Fourty "^ poll shall become due & payable to y^ Minister,
Act to declare how y= fourty pounds of Tobacco ^ poll shall be disposed
of in such parishes where there is no incumbent.
These acts are Incroachm'^ on y^ Primitive Law, besides the two last are
such (in my humble opinion) on y* L"^ Bishop of London's Jurisdiction, who
ought to have y'' Trust of y"= Revenues of y* Church. They give y" vestrys
an opportunity of Imbezling it, and often leads them into Sacriledge.
JACOB HENDERSON.
y// a Session of Assembly^ begun ^f held at f Port of Annap-
olis^ in y Province of Maryland, f 1 6'^^ day of March,
17O2.
An Act for y' Establishment of Religious Worship in this Province ; accord-
ing to f Church of England, and for f Maintenance of Ministers.
Forasmuch as, in a well-grounded Commonwealth, matters concerning
Religion and y* Honour of God ought, in y^ first place, to be Taken into Con-
sideration, & honest endeavours to attain to such good Ends Countenanced
1722.] I40
and Encouraged, as being not only most acceptable to God, but y* best way
& means to obtain his mercy & blessing upon a People or Country.
Be it Therefore enacted by y* King's most Excellent Majesty, by & w"*
y'' advice & consent of this present General Assembly, and by Authority of
y^ same. That y^ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of y" Sacram'',
and other Rites & Ceremonies of y^ Church, according to y*^ uses of y^ Church
of England, The Psalter or Psalms of David, & Morning & Evening Prayer
Therein Contained, be Solemnly Read by all & Every Minister or Reader in
Every Church w'^'' now is, or hereafter shall be, settled & Established within
this Province ; and y' all Congregations & places for y^ Public Worship ac-
cording to y"= usage of y" Church of England within this Province, for y* Main-
tenance of whose Ministers, and of the Persons officiating therein, any certain
Income or Revenue is, or shall by the laws of this Province be established
& enjoyned to be raised or' paid, shall be deemed settled & Established
Churches.
And for y"' encouragem* of faithful & able Ministers Labouring in y® Work
of y^ Gospel, to Come and Reside in this Province, Be it Enacted, by y*
authority afores^. That a Tax or assessm' of Forty Pounds of Tobacco 'p
poll be yearly and Every year successively Levyed upon every Taxable per-
son within each Respective Parish within this Province, as they have been,
now are, or hereafter shall be laid out. Limited, and appointed by y" laws of
this Province, and entered upon Record, as y* former laws therein did direct ;
w'^'' s"^ assessm' of forty pounds of Tobacco ^ poll shall always be paid and
allowed to y* Minister of each respective Parish having no other Benefice to
officiate in. Presented, Inducted, or appointed, by his Excellency y" Govern' or
Commander in Chief for the time being. And every such Minister is hereby
required and enjoyned to appoint & constantly to keep a Clerk of such Parish
Church, & to pay and satisfy such Clerk the sum of one Thousand pounds of
Tobacco yearly, and every year, out of y® s*^ forty ^ Poll.
And to prevent all Illegal & unlawful Marriages not allowable by y*
Church of England, but forbidden by y^ Table of Marriages, Be it Enacted,
by y'= authority afores*^, That no Minister, Priest, or Magistrate, shall pre-
sume to Joyn together in Marriage any Persons whatsoever, contrary to the
Table of Marriages by this Act Appointed to be set up in every Parish
within this Province, under y* Penalty of Five thousand pounds of Tobacco.
JMor shall any person Forbidden to Intermarry by such Table of Marriages,
141 [1722.
presume to be Joyned in Marriage under y^ like Penalty of five Thousand
pounds of Tobacco ; such penalties and forfeitures on either side to be made
to our Sovereign Lord y^ King, his heirs & Successors, for y^ uses in this Act
hereafter mentioned.
And to prevent any Lay Persons from joyning any Persons in Marriage,
where any Minister or Priest can be had. And to ascertain w' shall be paid for
marriages, Be it Enacted, by y® authority afores^ That in every Parish where
any Minister or Incumb* shall Reside & have Charge of souls therein, No
Justice or Magistrate, being a Lay-man, shall Joyn any person in marriage,
under the Penalty of five Thousand pounds of Tobacco for such offence, to
our Sovereign Lord y'= King, as aforesaid. And that it shall & may be lawful
to every Minister to take & receive of every person or persons by him mar-
ried, y^ sum of five shillings sterling, & no more : Provided such persons
come to such Parish Church or Chappell at time of Divine Service For Sol-
emnizing such Marriages.
And for y* better & more effectual Collecting of y" s"^ Duty of forty
pounds of tobacco ^ Poll, and paying y'= same to y* uses in this Law intended
and appointed, Be it enacted that y^ Sheriff of each several County shall & is
hereby obliged to Collect and Gather the s"* assessm' of forty ^ Poll, of y'^
several persons within each respective Parish in his Cou'^", in the same manner
and by the same authority as y'= publick & County Levys are Collected, and
shall pay the same forty f, Poll to y'' Minister or Incumb' in Each Respective
Parish.
And The better to Promote y^ Execution of y^ Good Laws of this
Province, so far as concern y^ respective Parishes, and for y= more easy dis-
patch of Parish business. Be it enacted, by y^ Authority afores^ by & with the
Advice & Consent afores^ That there be select vestries in each Parish of this
Province, and that the several Vestrymen of y'= several Parishes within this
Province, that now are, or hereafter shall be Chosen, be a select vestry ; of
w"='' vestry the number shall always be six at least. Except upon death or
resignation, or other discharge of any of them, according to y« Provision
herein made to that purpose. And in such case of Death or Resignation, or
other Legal discharge from serving, the remaining part of such vestrys shall,
w'" all Conven' speed, summon & appoint a general meeting of all the Inhab-
itants of the said Parish who are Free-holders within the same Parish, and
Contribute to y'' public Taxes & charges of the s"* Parish, who shall, by
1722.] 142
Majority of voices, Elect & choose one or more sober & discreet person or
persons, Freeholders of each Respective Parish, to supply such vacancies.
And such Person or Persons so Elected and Chosen shall take the usual oath
appointed by act of Parliament, Instead of the Oath of Allegiance & suprem-
acy, & y'' following Oath (viz*) : I Doe Solemnly Swear and Declare That I
Will Justly & truly Execute the Trust or office of a Vestryman of This
Parish, according to my best skill and knowledge, without prejudice, favor, or
affection ; w'='' s* Oaths, at y" Election of a new vestry, are to be administered
by any Justice of Peace of the County, City, or place where such Vestry is ;
who is hereby Required & Impower'd to administer y* same. And upon
Elections afterwards, either by a Justice of Peace, as afores*^, or y* first Vestry-
man, who is hereby likewise required and Impowered to administer y"= same ;
and each person so Elected and Chosen shall likewise subscribe y® Test, and
also the association ; and having so done, & not before, shall be deemed &
taken as one of y"= Vestry to all intents and Purposes,
And it is hereby further Ordained and Enacted, by y^ Authority aforesaid,
That two New Vestry- Men shall be Annually chosen in y® place of two
others, who shall be left out; To w'^'' Purpose all y* Inhabitants of every
parish, being freeholders within y" same Parish, & Contributing to The pub-
lick taxes & Charges thereof, or such of them as shall think fit to attend,
shall repair to their respective Parish Churches every year successively, upon
Easter Monday, and there, by their free Choice, declare what two persons
shall be discharged from their being Vestry Men, and Choose two other
qualified according to this present Act, in their stead & Room ; who, taking
y' oathes & performing all other things required by this present Act, or other
the Laws of this Province for Vestry Men, shall be deemed & taken to be
Members of the s*^ Vestry to all intents & Purposes. Provided always That,
in every Parish where any Minister or Incumbent is, or shall be lawfully,
according to y^ laws & usages of this Province, appointed & in possession of
any Living Invested w"" y* forty pounds '^ Poll, and Residing therein, he shall,
during y* continuance afores*^, & no Longer, be one of the Vestry of such
Parish, and Principal of such Vestry, although there be y'' Number of six per-
sons or more besides. And, for keeping a fair Register of all such Vestry's
Proceedings, and for Registring of all Births, Marriages, and Burials in each
Respective Parish, Be it Enacted, by y'= authority, advice, and Consent
afores^, That each Vestry shall, and is hereby obliged, to provide a fit person
143 [1722.
for a Registrar, who shall at all times keep a true and fair Registry of y=
several proceedings of such Vestry, from time to Time, in Executing their
trust & authority, and make Just and true entries thereof; w'=*' Persons so to
be appointed for keeping such Registry, shall take the Oaths substituted in
y" place of y" Oaths of Allegiance & supremacy, and subscribe y® Test &
association, & also an oath to be given him by y^ s'' Vestry ; w'='' oath y* s*
Vestry are hereby Impowered to administer accordingly, for y^ due & faithful
executing his s* office, before he shall be admitted into the s'^ office. And
shall make true Entry of all Vestry proceedings, and of all Births, Marriages,
& Burials (Negroes & Mulatoes Excepted) : That is to say. The Christian &
sirname, w"" The day, Month, & year of every such births, Marriages, or
Burials ; To w"='' Purpose all & every y* Inhabitants of each Parish that are
either Parents, Guardians, overseers. Masters, or Mistresses of any person
born, Married, or buried, are hereby enjoyned & required to give notice to y'
Registrar of such parish within Two Months after such Birth, Marriage, &
Burial, & pay him sixpence for entering it at y® time of giving notice afores'*,
under y'= Penalty of one Hundred pounds of Tobacco, to be forfeited by such
Inhabitant afores^ refusing or neglecting as afores^. And under the Penalty
of one hundred pounds of tobacco, to be forfeited by such Register refusing
or neglecting to Enter it, having received his fee for y* same. And such Re-
gister is hereby obliged to show any person or persons reasonably desiring it,
any such Register, or give a Certificate of any Register of Births, Marriages,
or Burials that shall be Reasonably required of him, and shall have for his
fees from such persons sixpence for any search, and sixpence for any Copy or
Certificate given as afores"^, & no more : Hereby Ratifying & Confirming as
valid all Registers or entries of any Births, Marriages, or Burials heretofore
made w"" any Clerk of any County Court, according to y* directions of such
Laws as were y" in force before any of those were in being.
And That the Register of each Parish may be enabled to perform the
Charge required of him, Be it Enacted, by y^ Authority, advice, & Consent
afores"*. That if there be any Vestries of any Parishes that have not already
provided good and substantial Writing-Books, well bound, sufficient for
Registring such Proceedings in, according to y'= direction of y^ former Laws.
That in every such Case of such neglect or omission, the Vestry of such
Parish shall, at y" Parish Charge, Provide such book or books within six
months from y' End of this Sessions of Assembly, under the Penalty of five
1722.] 144
hundred pounds of Tobacco each Vestry-Man (the Minister only Excepted)
neglecting as aforesaid, to our Sovereign Lord the King, for y^ uses within
Mentioned. And y' there may be no neglect in y* Vestrys or those employed
under them, in y* lawful & Conscionable performance of their several Charges^
the s* several vestries are hereby obliged to Meet once in every Month, or as
often as need shall require, upon publick notice given by y"= principal Vestry-
Man of each Parish, to Consult of y* Methods & ways of performing the
several Authorities reposed in them. And from w'^'' Vestry so appointed, no
Vestry-man, being personally summoned, shall, without a reasonable & lawful
Excuse, absent himself, under y* penalty of such fine or Mulct as y® Residue
of y* s^ Vestry meeting shall lay upon them, so y^ same never Exceed one
Hundred pounds of tobacco. And on default or neglect in such principal
Vestry-man, as is before mentioned, to summon a Vestry w° there is need for
one, and he is thereunto requested, any other three of the Vestry, or if there
shall happen by any accident to be but two of y^ s'^ Vestry, besides the Prin-
cipal Vestry-man, residing in y" s^ Parish, such three or two shall have power
& authority to summon & appoint a Vestry to be Holden. And all such
Omissions & neglects to be noted in y^ Vestry Register of Proceedings ; &
any forfeitures thereby incurred, to be recovered in his Majestie's Name,
And the s"^ several & respective Vestries are hereby further enjoyned, that
where there is no Tables of Marriages already put up in their respective
Parish Churches w* all Conven' speed, and within six months at y" most, to
procure a fair Table of Marriages, transcribed & set up in their Respective
Churches, and y" same keep continually in y* s* Church, that persons being
thereby Informed what Marriages are forbidden, may avoid the contracting of
any such unlawful Marriages. And that y* s'^ Vestry Men, and y* rest of y"
Inhabitants of every Parish, being free-holders within y* same, & Contributing
to The Publick Taxes & Charges thereof, do once every year, upon Easter
Monday yearly. Make Choice & appoint Two sober and discreet persons,.
Free-holders within y" same Parish, & Contributing to y® Publick Taxes &
Charges thereof. Having liberty also to vote in y^ choice of Church Wardens,
each Vestry man (excepting as before excepted) being under the Penalty of
Two Hundred pounds of Tobacco, for neglecting either to procure a table of
Marriages, or to appoint Church Wardens to our Sovereign Lord the
King, as aforesaid; which Church Wardens so Chosen shall take y" usual
oaths, and likewise declare on his oath, to be administered unto him by y*"
145 [1724.
Vestry, to whom Power is hereby given to administer the same accordingly,
well and faithfully to Execute y' office for y^ ensuing year, according to y'
Laws & usages of the s"* Province, to y= best of his skill & power, & until he
shall be thereof Duly discharged. And any such person or persons so
chosen Church Warden or Wardens, that shall wilfully refuse to serve in y"
s"* office, & take y* Oaths afores^ shall be fined one thousand pounds of
tobacco to our Sovereign Lord y° King.
And The Church Wardens & vestry are authorized & Required to take
constant care to satisfie & pay y' Parochial Charges, & all necessary Repairs
& Amendm'^ of their Respective Churches, Chappell, or Churchyards, and
cause the same at all times to be repaired & amended, as need shall Require,
out of such Gifts, goods, or Chattels, as shall come to their hands for y'=
Church or Parish's use. And Towards the Paym' of w'='' Parochial Charges
all y^ fines, forfeitures, and Mulcts by this law incurred, shall be levied by y=
Churchwardens in each respective Parish, & by them accordingly applied.
And in Case they shall not have sufficient Effects to pay Parochial Charges,
as afores^ or to Make such necessary repairs as are required, Then, and not
otherwise, it shall be lawful for y° Justices of y^ County Courts, upon applica-
tion of such Parish, Vestry, and Church Wardens, to assess y° Respective
Parishes, by a Certain sum of Tobacco, not Exceeding ten pounds of Tobacco
by y^ Poll, in any one year, w* assessm', made by such County Court, and a
Certificate thereof, under the County seal, shall be sufficient to y" sheriff of
such County, to levy such Tax by y'= Poll, on y^ Taxables of such Parishes, in
y' same manner as other publick dues are Levied ; & shall not deduct above
five per Hundred for his sallary, & pay y^ same to such vestry, for y'' use
afores**.
And To the intent that this Act may answer The Ends of y"= Makers, w'=''
is, that his Majestie's good subjects of this Province may be instructed in
Religion, & therein of their Duty to God, His Majesty, themselves, and those
Pious & Exemplary Persons that shall Labour therein, suitably provided for ;
Be it Enacted by y^ Authority, advice, & Consent afores^ That no Minister
or Incumbent shall at one time hold more than two Parishes, nor two unless
by y'= desire & agreem' of y' Vestry of the s"* adjacent Parish, & Consent of
the Vestry where he resides, And appointm' of y" Ordinary. And where
there are not, or shall not be Ministers in any Parish, it shall & may be lawful
for y* Vestry to provide some s6ber & discreet Person, as a Reader, &
1724.] 146
Present him to The Ordinary, who may sequester part of y^ forty ^ Poll to
pay him for such service, and y' rest to be applied as y" law in Cases of such
vacancies directs. And upon such Readers taking the s"^ oaths appointed by
Act of Parliament, subscribing y" Test & Association, And procuring Licence
from y° Ordinary, shall and may Read Divine service, Homilies, and such
other good authors of Practical Divinity as shall be appointed, at the usual
times in such Church or Chappels, and therein shall Demean himself according
to y° Liturgy of y^ Church of England as afores**.
And for Preventing of Delays & other Inconveniencies w*"^ might happen,
if there were a Necessity for y' Expecting y^ attendance & presence of all y"
s^ Vestrymen ; and at y' same time to prevent y° doing anything of Conse-
quence by surprize by a small number of them ; Be it hereby Enacted, That
y° first Tuesday in every month shall be and is hereby fixed & ascertained
for y^ holding of a Vestry, at Eleven of y'= Clock in y= forenoon, In y* usual
place for y' purpose, w"'out any notice or warning to be given thereof. At
w* time & place the Major part of the Vestry-men then p'sent (so as such
Majority be not under the number of three persons) shall be esteemed as a
Vestry, and shall have power to order, direct, & act in all things by this Act
appointed, to be done according to this act as a vestry. And that in case any
vestryman shall remove or w"'draw himself from y* Parish, or voluntarily
frequently neglect to give his attendance, and absent himself from y' vestry,
or otherwise become unfit or incapable to Continue to Execute such office or
Trust, that in any such Case, the Residue of y^ s*^ Vestry, or the Majority of
them (so as such Majority be not under three persons) shall & may have
power (after personal notice given to such party, if it Conveniently may be,
or y'' affixing of a Publick notice upon y' great door of y^ Church for three
Sundays successively, if personal notice cannot be given w^out great Diffi-
culty, charge, or Delay, of their Intentions to proceed in such manner) to
Remove such person from being a vestryman, & to declare his office void,
and to summon a meeting of y° Parishioners, qualified as directed, for the
Electing of another in y° place of such person, who shall (after allowing a
reasonable time to such person to make his Complaint, if he apprehends
himself Injured, not exceeding a fortnight) proceed to a new election
Accordingly.
And That there may not be any oppression or Mis-application of y*
publick Revenue of such Vestries, or Just Cause of Complaint against them,
147 [1724-
in any of their Proceedings, w"'out Redress ; Be it Enacted by the Authority
advice, & Consent afores'*, That all & every Parishioner & Parishioners
whatsoever, who Contribute to y= Publick Taxes & Charges of y° s"^ Parish,
shall & May require y= Register herein before menconed, at any Reasonable
& Conven' time or times, to give y" an Inspection of y° Vestry Books &
acc'^ of all and Every their proceedings, And shall & may take Copies thereof
(paying a reasonable ffee for y" same, according to the Length thereof, And
y^ trouble of attendances). And y' all & every person & persons w'soever,
who shall find or apprehend him, her, or themselves grieved or Injured, or y^
body of y= s"^ Parish is Injured or oppressed by any Act, orders. Rules,
Accounts, or other proceedings of any such Vestry, The Parties so Injured,
or any others in their behalf, or in y° Right of y^ whole Body, may from Time
to time Appeal for Redress against all and every such orders, accounts, &
other proceedings. To y^ Governour or Deputy-Governour for y= time Being
and Council of y* s*^ Province, who are Hereby Required & Impowered to
Examine, hear, & determine all & every such Appeal & Complaint for
Redress, and to give Redress, as they in their Judgm' shall think agreeable to
Justice & Equity ; And such their order, Judgm', & Decree shall be Final, &
bind all Parties, The Right of Appeal being always Reserved to his Majesty
in Council, according to the Laws of this Province.
Provided always y' every of his Maj''°'^ Protestant subjects w*in this
Province Dissenting from y^ Church of England as to Matters relating to y"
Worship & service of Almighty God, and the Dissenters Called Quakers, in
all matters relating to y^ taking of Oaths; and all Protestant Dissenters
w'soever, as to all Charges & Exemptions from Penalties, or forfeitures upon
ace' of their Dissenting, Separate Meetings, or other matters wherein Tolera-
tion & Ease is granted to Protestant Dissenters by one Act Made in y= first
year of y^ Reign of his Present Majesty & his late Consort, Queen Mary, of
blessed Memory, Intituled an Act for Exempting their Maj''"'= Protestant
subjects Dissenting from y= Church of England from y= penalties of Certain
Laws ; And by another Act Made in the Seventh and Eighth year of y^ Reign
of his present Majesty, Intituled, An Act y' the Solemn affirmation or declar-
ation of y= People Called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an Oath, in y=
usual form, shall have y' full benefit of all Exemptions, ease, & Indulgencies
by y'^ s"^ Acts granted and allowed, according to y^ true intent & meaning
of y^ s"* Acts ; they Respectively Conforming themselves in their Meeting &
1724.] 148
assembling, and in all other things, to The orders & Rules enjoyned by y* s^
Acts, w"" this alteration only, that the several things required & appointed by
y' s"^ Acts to be done by or at y= General or Quarter Sessions of y' Peace, or
any other Court whatsoever, or by or to any one single Justice of y" Peace,
shall be done by, to, & at y= Respective County Courts of this Province w^in
whose Jurisdiction the Matter shall fall out, & before, to, or by y° Justices of
y^ same. And y' the several Places used for Religious Worship by any such
Dissenting Congregation or Assembly, shall be certified unto & Registered
at y" s"* County Court in y= same manner as is by y'= s^ first-mentioned Act
appointed to be done, To y^ Bishop of y" Diocese, y° Arch-Deacon of y* Arch
Deaconry, and y' Justices of y"= Peace, at y" General or Quarter Sessions;
Provided also and be it further Enacted, y' one Act made at a General
Assembly, begun & held at y' Port of Anapolis y^ Twenty-sixth day of April,
1 700, Intituled, An Act for y= Service of Almighty God, and Establishment of
Religion in this Province, according to y° Church of England, &c% be and is
hereby Repealed and made void.
Observation.
This Act had the Royall assent, w'^'' noe other of our Laws have had.
Except that about the Free school at Annapolis. It is the Foundation of the
Clergy's maintainance and the Settlem' of the Church of England in this
Province ; but how far it is Incroached upon by subsequent acts will appear
by the observations upon them.
H9 [1724.
At a Session of Assembly, begun and held at f Town and Port
of Anapolis, in Ann Arrundel County, f fifth day of Sep-
tember, in f f year of f Reign of our Sovereign Lady
Anne, by f Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France,
&' Ireland, ^een, Defender of f Faith, Mc", and in f
year of our Lord 1704.
An Act for the Confirming Titles of Land Given to y' use of f Churches &
several Chappels w'Hn this Province, Impowering y Commissioners of y'
respective Counties, and f vestry s of f respective Parishes, to take up Cer-
tain parcels of Land for y use of y same.
Whereas several Pious & well-disposed Persons have given & granted
unto the respective Parishes whereto they belong, Certain parcels of ground
for y= use & benefit of a Church & Churchyard, which s^ Land, through y=
neglect of y= Vestrys, who, by an Act of Assembly of this Province, Made at
a Session of Assembly, held at y^ Port of Anapolis, y° 20"" day of July, Anno
Dom. 1 696, Entituled an act for y° service of Almighty God, and Establishm'
of the Protestant Religion, were Capacitated & Impowered by y^ names of y'
principal vestry-man & y= rest of his brethren, vestry-men of such Parish, to
take & receive any Deed of gift for y= same ; Notwithstanding y' Charges of
y= respective Parishes in building Churches or Chappels thereon, is like to be
lost, or the Title thereunto very disputable, for want of such Deed of gift or
Conveyance Enrolled or Recorded, as by an Act of Assembly is required, the
first Donors or Grantors thereof being dead, and the Heires of such Donors
or Grantors either refusing to make over such Land, as afores"*, or under age,
not Capable of so doing.
Be it Therefore Enacted by y° Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by & w"'
Y Advice & Consent of her Maj''*'^ Governour, Council, & Assembly of this
Province, & the authority of the same. That all such Lands as have been
formerly given to the use of any Church or Chappell, & for w"'' y° Donors or
1724.] I50
Grantors thereof, in their lifetime, have not made a Deed of gift for y'= same,
or otherwise refuse so to do ; & in Confidence of whose Promise y= Parishes
have been at y= Charge of Erecting & building their Churches thereon : be
and Remain to y= use of y= Parish for ever against all Claimes & Pretensions
of Claimes made, or that hereafter shall be made by such Donors or Grantors,
or by his or their Heires, Exec"^, or assigns, as firmly and Absolutely as if y^
same had been made over by Deed of Gift, Grant, of otherwise Enrolled and
Recorded as afores"^.
And To the end y' it may be known what Lands have been so given to y=
use of any Church or Chappel as afores^ and Made over & Confirmed by
Deed of Gift or Grant, as afores"*, The Grand Jury in each respective County
w'Mn this Province, Next after y" publication of this Act, shall have in Charge
to Enquire by what Title such Lands . . . whereupon the several Churches
or Chappels afores"^ w"'in their respective Parishes, and in their Precincts, are
held, and to render an ace' Thereof to y' Court, who are hereby Impowered,
where any such Lands shall appear to be given, & not Confirmed, as aforesaid,
In open Court to Examine Witnesses in Perpetuam rei Memoria-m, and the
same Cause to be Recorded in the County Records, w'^'' shall be deemed
adjudged, and taken in all Courts of Record w"'in this Province, as sufficient
Proof of y' Donation or Grant, as also of y^ Quantity of Acres given or
granted as afores"^. And in Case it shall appear upon such Examination y'
Lands have been given for y= use of any Church, Chappel, or Churchyard, as
afores^ but y" Quantity thereof not mentioned by y° Donors or Grantors
thereof, as afores^ that then & in every such Case the vestry of the respective
Parish where such Gift or Grant hath been Made, and The Quantity not
ascertained, as afores"*, may demand & take of such Lands, for y= use of y*
Church, and thereto adjacent, Two Acres & no more, w* They shall cause to
be survey'd & staked out, and make Returns of two Certificates thereof, one
of w* must be Recorded in y^ County Court, & y° other in y^ High Court of
Chancery, there to be Registered in Perpetuam rei Memoriam, as afores*.
And be it further Enacted by y° Authority afores^, by & w"" y^ advice &
Consent afores^ That where the Vestry of any Parish w^'in this Province have
or shall think Convenient to Place either Church or Chappel of Ease within
their respective Parishes, for the better Conveniency of their Parishioners;
but y" owner or owners of such land Chosen out and appointed by such
Vestry, as afores^ for y^ use of their Parish aforesaid, either Refuse to make
151 [1724.
sale thereof, or are unreasonable in his or their demands for y= same, or
otherwise Incapacitated by Non Age, Non Sancz Memories, or beyond Sea,
That then & in every such Case, the Respective vestry's of y° Respective
Parishes shall apply themselves to the Commissioners of y" Cou'^ Court
whereto they belong, upon whose application the s"^ Commissioners shall
forthw* grant their Warrants to y^ sheriff of their County, thereby Requiring
him at a Certain day & time to be by them nominated and appointed ; to
Impannel a Jury of substantial Freeholders next adjacent to the Land in Quest
afores"^, w* s"^ Commissioners and Jury afores"* shall proceed in all things as
by another Act of Assembly (entituled an Act Impowering y" Commissioners
of the several & respective Counties to take up & purchase Land for their
County Court Houses) they are directed, not Exceeding two acres, as before
in this Act mentioned & Exprest ; anything in this Act or any other ordained
to the Contrary Notwithstanding.
This was a very necessary Law, and in itself most reasonable.
At a Sessions of Assembly begun and held at f Town and Port
of Anapolisj in Ann Arrundel Cou*\ / fifth day of Sep-
tember, In y Third year of f Reign of our Sovereign
Lady Ann, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland,
Ffrance, & Ireland, ^een. Defender of f ffaith, &'c\,
And in f year of our Lord 1704.
An Act Impowering f Commissioners of f County Courts to Levy & Raise
Tobacco To defray f Necessary Charges of Their Counties & Parishes.
Be it Enacted by y= Queen's most Excellent Maj"=, by & w* y= advice &
consent of her Maj"='^ Council & Assembly of this Province, & by y=
Authority of the same. That for the Future it shall & may be lawful to & for
1724.J 152
the several & Respective Commissioners of y* several & respective County
Courts w"'in this Province, at their several & Respective County Courts,
to be held for their Counties, upon Examination had before them, of the
Publick Charges of their several and Respective Counties, & allowances
by them made of y= same, To Levey & Raise Tobacco for Paym' & sattis-
faction of y'^ several and respective Cou'y Charges, & the sheriff's salary for
y"= Collecting thereof, by an equal assessm' of y° Taxable P'sons of y* s*^ sev-
eral Cou''", any former Law, usage, or Custome to the Contrary in any wise
notw'^'standing.
And be it' further Enacted by y' authority, advice, & Consent afores''.
That y° Clerk of each respective Cou''' w'4n this Province shall keep an ace'
of such Tobacco Levyed, & how disposed off, in a fair book, apart from other
matters ; & a true Copy thereof, under the hand of y° Respective Cou''' Clerk,
& under y^ seal of y° s"^ Cou'^, by y° s** Cou'^ Cl'ks, be yearly & every year
transmitted to the Govern"^ & Council of this Province, before the Tenth day
of March next ensuing, after y* Laying of y° Levey for their Inspection.
And be it further Enacted by y" Authority, advice, and consent afores"*.
That if any Clerk of any Cou'^ Court afores'* shall neglect to transmit a Copy
of such ace' as afores"* before y" Tenth day of March as afores'', yearly &
every year, he shall forfeit and pay to our Sovereign Lady y^ Queen, her
heires & successors, the sum of one Thousand pounds of Tobacco, one half
to her Maj''°, her heires & successors, for y" support of Government, the other
half to the Informer, or him or them that will sue for y" same, to be recovered
by action of Debt, bill, plaint, or Information, in any Court of this Province,
wherein no Essoyn, Protection, or Wager of Law be allowed.
, And for Purchasing Register Books, and for Repairing of Churches, it is
prayed y' it may be Enacted, And be it Enacted by y° Queen's most Excel-
lent Majesty, by and w"" y^ advice and Consent of her Maj''°'* Govern', Coun-
cil, & Assembly of this Province, and the authority of y"= same. That when
and as often as the necessity of each Respective Parish shall require Repairs
or supphes, the Vestry men, and Church Wardens thereof shall apply them-
selves, to the Justices of y'' Cou'^ Courts, at the time of laying y* Cou'^ Levy,
who upon the necessity appearing to them, shall & are hereby Impower'd to
raise by an equal assessm' by y^ Poll, on y^ Inhabitants of such Respective
Parish, such sums of Tobacco, as by y° s*^ Justices shall be adjudged necessary
to supply y° occasions afores** over and above y° Cou'^ Levey, not exceeding
153 [1724-
y* sum of ten pounds of Tobacco 1^ Poll in one year, w'='' sum so Raised, shall
be Collected by y' Sheriff of y^ same County, and Paid to y^ Vestry Men of
each Respective Parish or parishes, at The Rate of five 'p Cent, for his sallary.
And be it further enacted, by y° Authority advice and Consent afores"^, That
where there is no Minister Resident in the Parish, The Vestrymen of each re-
spective parish in This Province, shall keep a fair account of y* disposition of
the forty pounds of Tobacco 'p poll. Levied, in their Parish, according to y*
Act entituled an Act for Establishment of Religious Worship &*=*: and also of
y* Ten pounds of Tobacco 'p Poll, to be levied, and raised, by vertue of this
Act, and a true Copy thereof, under the hands of such principal Vestryman,
or four of his brethren, of longest standing, shall yearly and every year be
transmitted to y^ Govern' and Council of this Province, before the tenth day
of March, for their Inspection.
And be it further Enacted by y* authority advice & Consent afores*^ ; that
if y"= Principal vestryman and four of his brethren, shall neglect to transmitt
a copy of such ace', as afores^ before y* Tenth day of March afores**, yearly
and every year, they shall forfeit and pay to our Sovereign Lady y^ Queen,
her heirs and successors, the sum of one thousand pounds of tobacco, one
half to her Maj''* for suport of Govern* ; the other half to y* Informer, or him
or them, that will sue for the same. To be recovered by action of Debt, bill.
Plaint or Information, in any Court of Record of this Province wherein no
Essoyn, Protection, or wager of Law, to be allowed.
Observation.
This Act is a manifest Incroachm' on the first, viz' : the Act for Establishm'
of Religious worship. Sufficient Provision was made by it for purchaseing
Register books and repairing of Churches, and there needed not any further;
but the design of this is, to render the Tax precarious ; before, the vestry
were sole Judges how much (not exceeding Ten ■§ poll) to raise for the use of
the Church and parish; but this act puts it into the power of the .Justices of
the County Court to allow what they please or noe part, if they see fitt, w'=''
will be (I'm afraid) of very ill consequence to y* Church.
1724J 154
At a Sessions of Assembly begun and held at y' Town and
Port of Anapolis in Ann Arrundel County^ the 27 day
of 8^"' in y Eleventh year of y' Reign of our Sovereign
Lady Anne, by y' Grace of God of England, Scotland,
France, &* Ireland, ^een. Defender of y Ffaith, &'c'
and in f year of our Lord 17 13, The Hono"' Ed'^
Lloyd, President of Her Maf' Council of f Province
afores'^.
fl
ur
An Act Impowering y" Justices of y' several County Courts w'Hn this Province ,
to Regulate y' bounds of y several Parishes w*Hn their Respective Coun-
ties, when disputable, and for ascertaining the time & Manner when &
how f forty pounds of Tobacco ^ poll shall become due & payable to y"
Minister and Incumbent of each Parish.
Forasmuch as it hath been Represented to This General Assembly, y' for
want of due care in y^ first Division of y= several Parishes w'Hn this Province.
The bounds of many of y" s^ Parishes remain very uncertain, & disputable,
w'^'' heretofore hath been, and hereafter may be y® occasion of many doubts &
controversies as well between y" several Incumbents, as y^ Vestries of such
Parishes, for Prevention whereof for y^ Future,
Be it Enacted by y^ Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by & w"* y® advice
& consent of her Majesty's President, Council & Assembly of this Province,
and the Authority of y* same. That from and after the end of this Present
Sessions of Assembly, it shall & may be lawful for y® Justices, of y" several
County Courts w'Hn this Province, or the Major Part of them, where y®
bounds of any Parish or Parishes w*^in their respective Counties are uncer-
tain, or ambiguously expressed, to ascertain and regulate them for y^ future,
and after having so done, to Cause their Proceedings therein, to be entred in
the Records of their County Courts, there to remain, for the sattisfaction of
155 [1724.
those that at any time hereafter shall have occasion to have Recourse there-
unto.
And whereas, some Parishes are so divided, as that they are pardy Con-
tained in two Counties.
Be.it therefore enacted by y"= authority afores^ by & w* y* advice & Con-
sent afores^, That in every such Case the Justices of y' County Court wherein
the disputable bounds of such Parish is contained, or y^ Major part of them
shall determine the same. And Cause such their determination to be entred in
y® Records of their County Court as afores"^.
And whereas it appears to this General Assembly, that there is not as yet
any Provision Made, by any Law of this Province, when and after what man-
ner the forty pounds of Tobacco '^ Poll shall become due, & payable to the
Ministers, and Incumbents, of the several Parishes within this Province w'^''
heretofore hath been y" occasion of Many disputes.
Be it Therefore enacted by y^ authority, advice, & Consent afores"^. That
when any Minister shall at any time hereafter be lawfully admitted or Inducted
into any Parish w'4n this Province, he shall not by vertue of such his admis-
sion or Induction have, demand, or receive from the vestry of such Parish the
whole forty pounds of Tobacco "p Poll, for y* year in w* he is admitted or In-
ducted ; but only such Proportionable part of the same, as shall be found to
be his due. Computing y* time from y® day of his Induction, to the time of lay-
ing y^ next Levy for y"= County in w"^"* his Parish lies. And when it shall so
happen y' any Minister, or Incumbent, who hath been a Resident in any Parish
w*in this Province, shall dye, or remove out of his Parish, Then & in such
Cases the vestry of y' Parish wherein he was Incumbent, shall at y° time of
laying the next Levy for their County, pay to such Minister, if he be alive, or
to his Exec", or Adm", if he be dead ; such proportionable part of y" forty
pounds of Tobacco '^ Poll, as shall be due to him, for such part of y" year as
he continued in y= s^ Parish, Computing y^ same from the time of the laying
the last levy for y* s"^ County : until the time of such his death or Removal.
And if any Minister or Incumbent, that shall at any time hereafter, be admit-
ted or Inducted into any Parish w"'in this Province, shall dye or remove again
out of the same, before any levy be laid in that County where the s'* Parish
lies ; then y^ vestry of the s"^ Parish shall, at y* time of laying y" next levy in
their Cou'^, Pay to such Minister (if he be alive, or to his exec" or Adm" if
he be dead) so Much of the forty pounds of Tobacco ^ Poll as shall be due
1724.] T56
to him, Computing 7*= same from the Time of his admission, or Induction, to
the time of his Death or removal, & no more, any law, statute, or Custom to
The Contrary notwithstanding.
This Law supposes the vestrys to have a power to dispose of the fourty ^
poll where there is noe Incumbent, w''"' I cannot find they had by any prior
Law, not by the Act for Establishm* of religious worship, soe that this is still
a further Incroachment on y' act.
At a Session of Assembly begun and held at f City of Anapo-
lis, f Twenty sixth day of April in f first year of the
Reign of our sovereign Lord George, by the Grace of
God of Great Brit tain France and Ireland, King De-
fender of y Ffaith &'c''y Annoq' Domini 17 15.
An Act to Declare how the forty pounds of tobacco ^ Poll in such Par-
ishes, where there is No Incumbent, shall be disposed of.
Whereas by an Act of Assembly made at a General Assembly begun &
held at y* Port of Anapolis y'= sixteenth day of March, 1701, Entituled, an Act
fory* Establishm' of Religious Worship in this Province, according to y* Church
of England, and for the Maintenance of Ministers. There is no Provission
made where there is a vacancy & no Incumbent in a Parish, how or to what
use the forty pounds of Tobacco '^ Poll shall be applied.
Therefore the Burgesses and Delegates of this present General Assembly
pray y' it may be enacted.
And be it Enacted by y* Kings most Excellent Maj"®, by & w"* y* advice,
and Consent of his Maj"'^ Governour, Council, and Assembly of This Province,
& y" authority of the same. That what Tobacco of y'' s'^ forty pounds ^ poll,
hath, is, or shall become due, in any Parish where there is, hath, or shall be no
Incumbent, the s** Tobacco shall be employed, & applied to, & for the uses
following. (That is to say) By the vestrymen of each respective Parish who
157 [1724-
are hereby empowered to dispose thereof ; for & towards y® repairing of such
Churches as are already Built ; finishing and Compleating y* insides thereof,
as the s^ vestry Men shall think fit, or for y" purchasing a Pulpit Cloth, Cush-
ion, Bible, or Common Prayer books or Church Plate for y= use of y* s** Church.
And if any vestry hath already applied or laid out the s^ Tobacco, or any part
thereof to y® uses afores'^ such application or disposal is hereby confirmed.
And be it further Enacted by y* authority aforesaid. That in any Parish
where y* Church is old, or so out of Repair, as not fit to be made use of, and
shall be so adjudged, by y'= vestrymen, of such Parish, it shall & may be law-
ful, to & for, such vestrymen to apply the s^ forty pounds of tobacco ^ poll,
for y* building of a New one, and if it hath, or shall so happen, by reason of
a Long vacancy in such Parish ; that there shall be no occasion, to apply y*
s* tobacco to y"= uses aforesaid, or if any such Tobacco after such application,
hath or shall remain in y^ hands of y" vestry, the s^ vestry are hereby directed
& empowered to purchase therew'^ either a plantation, w"" a tract of Land
or a Certain tract of Land, as near & Contiguous to the Church, belonging to
such Parishes, as may be. (And if there be no Church in such Parishes then
to Purchase, a tract of Land as may be most conven' for y* Inhabitants
thereof & build a Church thereon) w"*" plantation or land shall be and for ever
remain as a Glebe to y= use of y^ Ministers of such Parish, for y" time being,
who shall be lawfully Inducted and appointed, according to y^ usage of y*
Church of England and of this Province. And if there shall happen in any
Parish, to be tobacco over & above answering the use afores^, it shall be
Imployed to the Improvement and stocking such Glebe, as y' vestry shall
judge most proper.
And forasmuch as by the s"* Revised Act there is nothing allowed to y*
sheriff for collecting y" forty pounds of tobacco ^ poll & paying y* same to the
Incumbent or vestry.
Be it Enacted by y" Authority aforesaid. That y^ Sheriff of each respec-
tive County, shall have allowed him, or them, out of the s*^ forty pounds of
tobacco ^ poll, w''" they shall pay to such vestry, or Incumb', five pounds of
tobacco ^ Cent: for Collecting & paying the same, & no more, any law
statute or usage to the Contrary Notw^'standing.
The uses to w"='' the Fourty ^ poll is directed by this act I take to be very
good and Commendable, provided there was an allowance in it to dispose of
1 724-] 158
some part towards Inviteing over able ministers, and provided the vestry's
would honestly pursue the directions of the act as I observed in answer to one
of the Queries.
But there is in the last clause of the act a most Intolerable Incroachm' on
the act for Establishment of religious worship, that directed the Sheriff to
Collect and gather the fourty ^ poll in the same manner and by the same
authority as the publick and County Levies are collected, and to pay the same
to y" minister or Incumbent.
Now the publick and County Levies are paid to the severall officers Intire
without any deduction, and the Sherriff has a salary out of the publick and
Counties for Collection and soe it ought to be as to y= Fourty ^ poll, but this
act gives Five ^ Cent (contrary to y® Intent of the primitive Law) out of the
Fourty ^ poll to the Sheriff for Collection w""" takes of two 'p poll and
reduces the fourty to thirty eight.
This (in my humble opinion) is manifest Injustice, wee were Invited over
here on the view of Fourty ^ poll, and since they have got us here they have
taken off 2 ^ poll, and if this passes unregarded, they may pair it away to
nothing.
^t a Session of Assembly begun &' held at the Town &* Port
of Anapolis in Ann Arundel County^ y fifth day of
September^ in f Third year of f reign of our Sovereign
Lady Anne, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, Defender of f Faith; &'c'', &' in
f year of our Lord, 1704.
An Act for securing the Parochial Libraries of This Province.
Be it Enacted by y* Queen Most Excellent Maj"«, by & w"^ y'' advice &
Consent of her Maj"^' Governour, Council & Assembly of this Province, & by
159 [1724-
y* authority of the same, That y^ Libraries appointed for y* several &
Respective Parishes w^'in this Province, shall be and remain, in y^ Hands &
Possession of y= Minister of the Parish, if there be any Minister actually
Inducted into, & Incumbent in the s*^ Parish, during his Residence in y* s^
Parish, who is by this Act obliged to keep and preserve y^ s"^ Library from
Wast & Imbezelment, & to be accountable for y= same to the Governour,
Council, and Assembly as often as required.
And To that purpose y* s*^ Minister shall pass Two Receipts for y^ s"^
Books, incerting w* they are, & The Title Page of y* same, one Receipt to be
by the vestry of the s"^ Parish transmitted to the Governour and Council, and
the other to remain w''' y^ vestry of the s"* Parish, to be entred in their Regis-
ter Book. And the s"* vestry's are hereby obliged to visit y* s"^ Libraries twice
in y^ year, & Inspect the same.
And in Case the s*^ vestry's shall not (or at least four of them of eldest
standing) shall not visit the s'^ Libraries twice in y* year as by this Act is
required, the whole number of vestrymen shall forfeit & pay the sum of
fourteen Hundred pounds of tobacco, one Moiety to her Maj"^ her heires &
successors, for The support of Governm', the other moiety to the Informer, or
him or them, y' shall sue for y'' same in any Court of Record in this Province,
by Action of debt, Bill, Plaint, or Information wherein no essoyn Protection,
or wager of Law to be allowed, and y' onus probandi shall lie on y® part of y°
Vestry to make it appear that they have visited the libraries as by this Act
they are obliged.
And if it so happen y' the vestry find any Damage or Imbezlemen* thereof,
they shall require and Cause sattisfaction for y* same to be made by Action of
Debt, to be brought against y* s"* Minister, his Exec" or Adm", for y'' full
value of such books as are or shall be wanting, to be Commenced and
brought by y* vestry-Men of such Respective Parish where such damage or
Imbezlem' shall happen, who by this Act are Impowered to bring their special
Action w*''out their principal vestryman.
And in Case any Minister, having y^ Charge of such Library, shall be
Removed from his Charge, he shall deliver y'= s"^ Library, to y^ vestry of y^ s"^
Parish, & make sattisfaction or Repairation, if any damage or wast suffered ;
before his departure, out of y* s'^ Parish (Except by fire or such unavoidable
accident), or in Case of y= Death, of any such Ministers, having y"= Charge of
such Library, the vestry of such Parish sljall immediately take y^ s"* Library
1 724-] 1 60
into their Custody and keeping, and pass their receipt for y* same, as above
directed. And shall in all points be answerable for y^ same (Except by fire
or such like accident as aforesaid).
And for y" better preserving & keeping and securing y'' s*^ Libraries, it
shall & may be lawful for his Excellency the Governour of this Province, for
y* time being, to appoint one, or more, visitors of y* s** Libraries w*''in this
Province, to Report the true state of them to his Excellency the Governour
& Council, that they may make ord" to Cause every one Concerned about
y* s^ Libraries to do their duties, to y'= Effectual preserving of them.
At a Session of Assembly begun and held at y Town and Fort
of Anapolis, in Ann Arundel Cou'^, f J^fi^ ^^y ?/" '^^p-
tember, in f Third year of f Reign of our Sovereign
Lady Anne^ by the Grace -of God of England^ Scotland^
France J ^ Ireland, ^ueen, Defender of y' Faith, &'cf.,
and in the year of our Lord, 1704.
An Act for Publication of Marriages.
Be it Enacted by y" Queens Most Excellent Maj"^ by & w"" y* advice,
& Consent of her Maj''" Governour, Council, & Assembly of this Province,
and y* authority of the same, That all persons who desire marriage, shall
apply themselves either to a Minister, Pastor, or Magistrate, for the Contract-
ing thereof.
And be it further Enacted by y* authority afores"*, by & w"* y'' advice and
Consent afores*, That all persons w^'in this Province intending Marriage, shall
make Publication thereof either at y* Church, Chappel, County Court, or
Meeting house next where they dwell, & y' at such time when such Church,
Chappel or meeting house shall be full, and thereby capable to take Cogni-
zance thereof ; and that it shall and may be lawful, upon Certificate had from
i6i [1724.
the Minister, Pastor, or County Court where such Publication shall have been
Made, three weeks after the s** publication, for either Minister, Pastor, or
Magistrate (where no Minister can be had) to Joyn in marriage such Persons
as afores"*. And if any person shall presume to Contract Marriage w*out
such publication made, and Certificate thereof had, as afores"*, or w"'out
perticular Hcense from the Governour for the time being, do privately, w"'in
y^ Limits of this Province, Contract marriage, every person so Contracted or
married shall be lyable to a fine of one Thousand pounds of tobacco, and
every such Minister, Pastor, or Magistrate Joyning in marriage any persons
w'^out such publication or License, or anyways infringing this Act, shall be
liable to a fine of five thousand pounds of tobacco, one half of y® s"^ Fines to
our sovereign Lady y* Queen, her heires, & successors, for y° support of the
Governm' of this Province, and y* other half to the Informer, to be recovered
by bill. Plaint, Action of Debt, or information in any court of Record, wherein
no Essoyn, Protection or Wager of Law to be allowed.
And be it further Enacted by y"^ authority afores**, by and w* y^ advice &
Consent afores"*. That all Ministers, Pastors, and Magistrates who, according
to y* law of this Province, do usually Joyn People in marriage, shall Joyn them
in Manner and form, as is set down and exprest in the Liturgy of y* Church
of England, w'^'' being finished, the Minister, Pastor, or Magistrate shall say,
I being thereunto by Law authorized. Do Pronounce you Lawfull Man &
wife.
And be it further Enacted, by y'' Authority, advice & Consent afores^.
That y* Minister, Pastor, or Magistrate, by vertue of this Act, is Impowered to
aske, demand, and receive, from y= Parties so Married or Joyned together,
the sum of one Hundred Pounds of Tobacco & no more.
I724.J i62
At a Session of Assembly begun &' Held at y" City of Anapo-
lis, f 28''^ day of May, Anno Domini 17 17, In The
2 2"^ year of his Lordships Dominion,
An Act for the Publication of Marriages, and to Prevent unlawful Marriages.
Be it Enacted, by y" Right Hon''^* y* L^ Proprietary, by & w* y^ advice
& consent of his L'^pp^ Cover"', & y^ upper & Lower houses of Assembly, and
by y* authority of y* same. That all ^sons who desire marriage shall apply
themselves to a Minister for y'= Contracting thereof, & shall cause due publi-
cation to be made, according to y* Rubrick of y* Church of England, of their
intent to marry, at some Church or Chappel of Ease belonging to y'= Parish
wherein y° woman so intended to be married, shall be Resident. And in
case there be no Minister, Curate, or Reader in such Parish, an advertisement
or publick notification of such intended Marriage shall be set up at y"= Court
House Door of y" Cou''' where such marriage shall be intended, there to
remain for y* space of three weeks at y® least, of w'^'" advertisem* put up as
afores"*, The Clerk of the Cou''' Court where such advertisem' shall be so
put up, shall make a certificate under his hand & y" seal of y^ Cou*y, and y' it
shall & may be lawful, after such publication and Certificate thereof had, for
any Minister duly qualified to Joyn together in Matrimony, any such ^sons
so published according to y* Liturgy of y* Church of England, saving to y"
Minister of y* Respective parishes where such publication shall be made, their
just dues for such marriages. And if any person presume to Contract mar-
riage, without such publication & certificate thereof had as afores"*, or w"'out
particular license from y* Governour for y* Time being, do privately contract
marriage, every man so contracted or married shall be liable to a fine of Five
thousand pounds of tobacco. And every such Minister Joyning in marriage
any '^son's w'^out publication or license, or any ways infringing this Act, shall
be liable to a fine of five thousand pounds of tobacco, y'= one half of y'= s*^ fine
to y* L'* Proprietary, his heires, and successors, for y* support of Governm' of
this Province, the other half to y' Informer, to be recovered in any Court of
1 63 [1724.
Record by Action of Debt, plaint, bill or Information, wherein no Essoyn,
Protection, or wager of Law to be allowed. And for the more effectual
avoiding secresie, & Clandestine Marriages.
Be it enacted by y'= Authority, advice & consent aforesaid. That any
person or ^sons Resident in this Province, who shall get their marriage
solemnized in any y^ neighbouring Colonies, during such their residence in
this Province, unless where y^ woman so married shall be a resident of y'
place where such marriage shall be solemnized, the Man so married shall be
liable to a fine of five thousand pounds of Tobacco, to be recovered as
afores^ to y* use afores"*. And for ascertaining to y^ Minister a fee for Mar-
riages in other cases y°, the Act for Establishm' of Religious Worship provides
for.
Be it enacted y* in case any ^sons married by license, and y' shall be
maVried in y* Parish Church, or Chappel of ease, or come to such Ministers
house, to be married, there shall be paid as a fee by y® 'psons to be married,
for such marriage, the sum of ten shillings and no more. And in Case of
publication of Banns, the 'pson to be married shall come to y® Minister's
dwelling house to be married, there shall be paid to y® minister as a fee for
such marriage, one hundred pounds of tobacco, or six shillings & eight
pence currant money & no more. And 'tis hereby declared, whenever any
ffee is allowed for marrying '^sons whose banns are published, such fee shall
be taken for a full fee for the publication of y® banns as well as for y* Solem-
nization of such Marriage.
Provided, that this Act or anything therein contained shall not extend or
be construed to extend to any 'psons of perswasions in Religion different from
that of y* Church of England ; but y' all such '^sons and the manner of their
proceedings in marriage, may entirely remain unaltered by this Act, and in y*
same circumstance as if this Act had never been made, any thing therein
before to y* contrary notw^'standing.
1724.] 1 64
At an Assembly held at y' Fort of Anapolis the First day
of July, in the %th year of y' Reign of our Soveraign
Lord King William &(f., Annof : Domini, 1696,
Francis Nicholson, Governour.
A Petitionary Act for Free schools.*
To His Most Excellent Majesty.
Dread Soveraign,
From the sincerity of our humble & Loyal Hearts, wee offer to y"' sadVed
person our most dutiful and sinceer thanks, for y"^ Royal care and protection,
to us, for y'' Maj"'^ Princely Zeal & pious Care of our Mother the Church of
England ; and extending y'' Royal Benediction to our Neighbouring Colony,
•f Maj''^^ subjects, & Teritory of Virginia, in y"' Gracious Grant Sc Charter for
the Propagation of y^ Colledge or place of universal study, that y"^ Maj"*' s*^
Colony. In humble Contemplation whereof and being excited by his present
Excellency, Francis Nicholson, Esq"^ ; yo"' Maj"*^ Cover' of this Province, his
Zeal fory'' Maj''^^ service, Pious endeavours, & Generous offers, for y* Propa-
gation of Christianity & good Learning, herein ; Wee become humble suitors
to y"^ Most sacred Maj% to extend y"^ Royal Grace and favour to us, y"^ Maj"*'
subjects of this Province, Represented in this y"^ Maj''^^ General Assembly
thereof. That it may be Enacted.
And may it be Enacted by y* Kings most Excellent Maj'^', by & w"' y*
advice. Prayer, and consent of this present General Assembly & y® authority
of y'= same. That for y^ Propagation of the Gospel & y* education of y''
youth, of this Province in good Letters and manners, That a Certain place, or
places for a Ffree school or schools, or place of study of Latine, Greek, Writing
and y* like, Consisting of one Master, one usher, and one Writing Master or
scribe to a school, & one hundred scholars, more or less, according to y' abil-
ity of y* s* Free school may be erected, founded, propagated, and established
*See Bacon's Laws of Md., Chap. 17. 1696.
1^5 [1724-
under y"^ Royal Patronage, And y' the most Rever"^ Father in God, Thomas,
by Divine Providence, L"^ Arch Bishop of Canterbury Primate, and Metropol-
itan of all England, may be Chancellour of y^ s"* schools, and y' to perpetuate y=
Memory of y'' Maj"" it may be called King William's school, and managed by
Certain Trustees, to be Chosen, and appointed by y' sacred Maj'y (to Wit)
as also by y= following Trustees Nominated and appointed by this present
General Assembly (That is to say) by y^^ Maj"«^ s'* Govern"-, Francis Nicholson,
Esq^ TheHono'""S''Tho: Laurence Barronet, Coll. George Robothom, Coll.
Charles Hutchins, Coll. John Addison, of y'' Maj"" most Hono"^ Council of
this Province ;• The Rever"* M^ Peregrine Cony & M"". Jo° Hewit, Together
w* Rob* Smith, Kenelm Cheseldyn, Henry Coursey, Edw"* Dorsey, Thomas
Ennalls, Tho" Taskers, Francis Jenkins, W" Dent, Thomas Smith, Edw"^.
Boothby, Jo" Thompson, & John Bigger, gentle", or the greatest part or y=,
successors of them, upon & in a certain Place of this Province Called Ann
Arrundel Town, upon Severn River and at such other place or places as by
the General Assembly of this Province shall be thought Convenient and fitting
to be supported maintained in all time coming. And y' y'^ Maj'^ will for
y'' Heires and successors, grant and give leave to y^ s"^ Ffrancis Nicholson, Esq"'.,
& Trustees afores'*, or y^ major part, or y* longest liver of them, that they
may be enabled to take, hold, and enjoy, and y' they may be apt, and capable
in Law for taking, holding, and enjoying all Mannors lands, Tenents, Rents,
Services, Rectories, Portions, Annuities, Pensions, w"* all other Inheritances,
Ffranchises, & Possessions, whatsoever, spiritual or Temporal to y= value of
Fifteen Hundred pounds sterling. And all other Goods, Chattels, Money and
personal Estate w*soever, of y® gift of any person w'soever, that is willing to
bestow them for y" for y' use, or any other gifts, grants, assignments. Leg-
acies, or appointm'^ of y* same, or of any of them, or of any other goods w'-
soever, w"* y^ express intention and trust put in them. That y" s'' Ffrancis
Nicholson and other y^ Trustees afores^ or y'= Major Part, or y^ longest
livers of them shall take and hold y* premises, and shall Dispose of the same,
and of Rents and Revenues, and Profits thereof, or of any of them, only for
defraying the charges y' shall be laid out in erecting & fitting the edifices of
the s^ Ffree school or schools as they or the Major part of them shall think
most expedient until the s'^ Ffree school or schools shall be actually erected,
founded and established, and upon trust & Intention that as soon as the s"^
Ffree school or schools shall be erected & founded, the s"^ Ffrancis Nicholson
1724.] 1 66
& other the Trustees above named, shall from time to time and at all times
hereafter, apply all Lands, Tenem'^ Rents, Annuities, goods, Chattells, profits,
Incomes, or advantages whatsoever. Real or personal, or as much as shall not
be laid out, & bestowed upon building y= s"^ Ffree school or schools as afore-
s"^, as shall be hereafter expressed. And y' when y* s** Ffree school or
schools shall be so erected & Established, the s** Ffrancis Nicholson and other
y* Trustees above named, or y* major part, or y^ longest liver of them, shall
apply and appropriate, to y* use, benefit, & maintenance, out of y* Revenues,
or incomes, to y* s^ Trustees, for y" use aforesaid the sum of one hundred and
Twenty pounds sterling ^ annum ; for y'= sallary support & maintenance of y®
s** first menconed Ffree school Master, usher and scribe, and y* necessary
repairs & Improvem'^ ; of y= same as to y* s"* Ffrancis Nicholson and Trus-
tees afores'' the Major part or survivors of them, shall seem Expedient from
time to time to ordain in y'' premises ; and y' for y* uses and purposes afore-
s^ they y'= s*^ Francis Nicholson & y* Trustees afores**, the survivours or
major part of them, shall & may be Incorporated into a body Politick by y*
name of y" Rectors, Governours, Trustees and visitors of y'= Ffree school of
Maryland, w* full power to plead, & be impleaded, to sue & be sued, to
defend, and be defended, to answer, and be answered, in all & every Cause,
complaint and action. Real, personal, or mixt of w'soever kind or nature it
shall be ; w'soever Courts & places of Judicature belonging to y"' Maj"^ y"^
heires and successors ; or by, from or under your Royal Grant or Authority.
And y' y' Maj'^ will be graciously pleased to give & grant y' special License
as far as y"' Maj"* see Expedient. To y" said Ffrancis Nicholson, Esq., & y'
other Trustees afores^ that they, or any of them, or y' any ^son or 'psons w'-
soever, after the s"* Free school or schools is or are so erected, founded and
Established, or before, may have power to give & grant assign and bequeath
all or any mannors lands, tenem'^ Rents, services. Portions, annuities, pensions,
inheritances, Franchises and Possessions w'soever, spiritual or Temporal to y*
value of Fifteen Hundred pounds sterling 'p annum, besides all Burdens,
Reprisals & reparations to them y= s"^ Ffrancis Nicholson and others, y^ Gov-
ern", Trustees & visitors of y^ s-* Ffree schools of Maryland ; the major part,
or survivors, of them Incorporate, for y* uses afores^ to them & their succes-
sors for ever. And Further, that y* s** Ffrancis Nicholson and other y^ Gov-
ern", Trustees and visitors afores^ the longest livers & successors of them, be
y« True, sole, & undoubted visitors. Trustees, & Govern" of y« s"^ Free-School
16; [1724-
or Schools, in perpetual succession for ever, to be Continued in y' way & man-
ner hereafter specified ; w"" full & absolute power, liberty, & authority in
making & ordaining such laws, orders and rules for y* good governm' of y'=
s^ Ffree school or schools ; as to them y* s** Trustees, Govern''^ & visitors
afores** & their successors shall from time to time, according to y^ various occa-
sions, and Circumstances seem most fitt & requisite ; All w"^ shall be observed
by y"" master, usher. Tutors, & scholars, of y^ s*^ school upon the Penalties
therein Contained. Provided Notw^'standing That y'^ s'^ Rules, Laws, &
order, be no ways contrary to y' Maj''*^ Prerogative Royal, nor to y* Laws &
statutes of y'' Maj"^^ Kingdom of England or Province of Maryland aforesaid,
or to the Canons & Constitutions of y'= Church of England of the Church of
England by law Established. And y' they y^ said Govern", visitors & Trustees,
aforesaid, & their successors, shall for ever be Eighteen Men, & not exceed-
ing twenty in y'= whole, to be elected & constituted, in y* manner hereafter
specified, of w"** one discreet & fitt person, y' shall be called Rector of y" s*^
Ffree school & schools, and that from time to time, and at all times Coming,
the s^ Rector shall exercise the s^ office during one year (Death and Legal
disability Excepted) and after till some others of y'' s^ Visitors and Govern''^
of y"= s* school & schools, shall be duly Elected, preferred & sworn to y^ s^
office. And that from time, to time & at all Times Coming after y^ s'^ year is
expired, or after y^ Death of y* s'^ Rector, y^ visitors or Govern" of y" s"^ school
or schools, or y* greatest part of them, or their successors, should have Power
to elect & nominate another discreet and fit person from amongst themselves,
to be Rector of y'= s"^ Ffree school or schools ; and y' he who is so elected,
preferred and nominated into the place of Rector as afores**, shall have power
to Have, Exercise, and enjoy y* s"* office of Rector, for one whole year (except
as before Excepted) then next ensuing, and Thereafter until some other Rec-
tor of y* s*^ school or schools, shall be duly elected, preferred to, & sworn in y'
s^ office. And to perpetuate the succession of y"" said Govern", Rectors, &
Visitors y* as often as one or more of the Govern" or visitors of y* s*^ school or
schools shall die or remove Himself & family out of this Province, into any
other Country for Good & all ; that then & so often, the Rector for y'= Time
being & y^ other visitors & Govern" of y'' s^ Ffree school and schools, then
surviving, & remaining w^in y^ Provinces or y^ Major part of them, shall &
may have leave to elect. Nominate & choose one or more of y^ principal &
better sort, of y* Inhabitants of y* s"^ Province, into the Place or places, of y*
1724.1 1 68
s** visitors & Governors so dead or Removed, and so to fill up the number of
y^ visitors and Govern'^ of y^ s* school and schools. And that he and they so
elected & chosen shall take his & their Corporal oath before y= Rector &
other visitors & Govern"^" as afores"* or y^ Major part of them, well & faith-
fully to execute y* s"* office ; w* oath y^ Rector & two or more of y"= s^ visitors
shall have power to administer. And y' after y^ taking of the s"^ oath he or
they shall be of y'= Number of y'^ s*^ visitors & Govern" of y" s^ school or
schools. And further, that the s"^ Rector, for y° time being, by & w"' y' advice,
and Consent, of three, or more of y* s"^ Govern" & visitors, shall and may from
time to time, & as often as need shall Require & they see Convenient ; call &
convocate the s'^ Govern" & visitors, together to do, consult & consent to such
things as for y^ propagation, good & benefit of y" s*^ Free school or schools
shall be ordained & established. And that the s"^ Govern" & visitors shall &
may hold such their Court, or Convocation, in such Ffree school or such part
thereof, as to them shall seem convenient, and shall & may, from time to time,
punish any disorder, breaches, Misdemeanours or offences of any master,
usher or scribe or scholars of any such free school or schools, ag* any orders,
law, or decrees of y^ s^ Govern" & visitors afores^ ; and if they find cause to
alter, displace, & turn out any Master, usher, or scribe of any such school or
schools, & put others in their steads and places as to y" s^ Rectors, Govern", &
visitors of the s* school or schools, or y^ major part of them shall seem Con-
venient & fitting. And also that the s*^ Rectors, Governours & visitors of y*
s*^ Free school or schools, and Their successors shall have one common seal,
w'^'' they may make use of in w'soever cause & business belonging to them &
their successors relating to the s"^ office of Rectors, Govern" and visitors of y"
s*^ Free school & schools ; And y' the s** Govern" and visitors may have leave
to break, change & renew their said seal, from time to time, at their pleasure,
as they shall see most Expedient. And further, that it may please y"^ Maj''* to
grant to y® s^ Rector, Govern" & visitors afores"* of y^ s*^ Ffree school or
schools afores^, y' as soon as they shall be enabled by any gifts, grants, pen-
sions, donations, or Incomes of any Mannors, Lands, Tenements or other
estate w'soever Real or personal. Exceeding the sum of one Hundred &
twenty pounds '^ annum allotted & allowed for support & Reparation of y*
first Free school at Severn as afores"* ; that y° as they shall be enabled as
afores"^, the s'' Rector, Govern", & Visitors shall proceed to erect and build
one other ffree school at y'' Town of Oxford on the Eastern shore of this
169 [1724-
Province, in Talbot Cou*^ or in such other place of y* same Cou'^ as to y"
Rectors, Govern" & Visitors afores*^ shall seem most expedient. And after
y* same shall be built, founded, & established, to appropriate & apply to y'= 5^
Free-schools out of y'= treasure accruing to them for y* benefit and advantage
of ffree schools afores*^, over & above the one Hundred & twenty pounds 'p
year, for y^ benefit, advantage and support of such second ffree schools, & shall
& may place a Master, Usher & Scribe therein, as in y* other first ffree school
as afores^ ; and shall in all respects be under y* same benefits, Privilidges, In-
junctions, & restrictions as y^ s** first Free school. And also after y^ s'' second
Free school is built, erected, funded, and furnished, the s** Rectors, Govern"^^
& visitors shall, as fast as they shall be enabled as afores*^, proceed to the
erecting other & more ffree schools in this Province (that is to say) In every
County of this Province at present, one ffree school. And shall & may be
Impowered to establish, Constitute, & enjoyn, & restrain, to & under y^ same
benefits, advantages. Instructions, & Restrictions as afores*^, & appropriate and
apply such & so much of y^ s"^ Revenue not before disposed or ordained, to
each free school as to them shall seem most Conven' & expedient, not exceed-
ing one hundred and Twenty pounds ^ annum as afores'*.
And be it hereby enacted by y^ authority afores^ That a supplementary
Act for Free schools, made at a Sessions of Assembly, begun & held at y'
City of S' Mary's the twenty first day of September, 1 694, be 8c is hereby
utterly repealed & Made void.
1724.] I70
At a Session of Assembly begun &' held at f City of Annap-
polis,y 28 day of May 17 17, in y' 2'' year of his Lord^^'
Dominion.
An Act for Laying an Additional Duty of Twenty shillings current money "p
Poll on all Irish serv*^ being Papists to prevent the Growth of Popery, by
y Importation of too great a number of them into this Province ; And
also y Additional duty of Twenty shillings Currant Money ^ poll on all
Negrd s for raising a fund for y^ use of Public k Schools w*Hn y' several
Counties of this Province.
Be it Enacted by y^ Right Hon'''^ y'= L*^ Proprietary, by & w* y^ advice
& consent of his L'^pp^ Govern'', and y^ upper & Lower Houses of Assembly
& y^ Authority of y'' same, That from and after the end of this General
assembly, all Masters of ships and vessells, or others Importing Irish Serv"
being Papists into this Province, by Land or by water, at y^ time of their entry
shall pay unto y" Naval officer, for y* time being, belonging to such Port or
Place where they make their Entry, the Additional sum of twenty shillings
Curr' money, over and above y'= twenty shillings sterling '^ poll Imposed by a
former act of assembly of this Province, for every Irish serv' so Imported, on
Penalty and forfeiture of ffive pounds Curr' money, for every serv' that shall be
by him or them Concealed at y'= time of his or their Entry, as afores"*, the one
half thereof to be appropriated for defraying y'= publick charge of this
Province, y® other half to y® Informer, or to him or them y' shall sue for the
same, to be recovered in his L'^pp' Name in any Court of Record w'Hn this
Province, y' shall have Jurisdiction of y^ same, by Action of Debt, bill, Plaint
or Information, wherein no Essoyn, Protection or wager of Law to be
allowed. And for y* better discovery of such Irish Papists,
^ Be it further Enacted by y" Authority, advice & consent afores^ That the
Naval officers, for y^ time being, belonging to y" several and respective
districts w^in this Province, be & are hereby authorized, impowered, &
required to administer to every such Irish serv' (except children under y* age
of fourteen years, to be adjudged at y* discretion of y* Naval officer) so
imported as afores**, the several oaths appointed "^ Act of Assembly, & cause
171 [1724-
them to subscribe y'= oath of abjuration, & the Test; & all & every such
serv'^ yt shall refuse to take y^ Oath's & sign y= Oath & Test as afores* (ex-
cept as before excepted), shall be, & are hereby deemed and declared Papists,
for whom y* owner or importer shall be obliged to pay y* additional Duty as
afores'^.
And be it further enacted by y" authority, advice, & Consent afores'^, That
from & after y^ time afores^ for every Negro imported into this Province,
either by land or water, the Importer or Importers of such Negro's shall pay
unto y^ Naval ofificer afores^ y^ sum of twenty shillings Curr' money per poll
over and above the Twenty shillings sterling per Poll Imposed by a former
Act of Assembly of this Province, on y* Penalty & forfeiture of five pounds
curr' money '^ poll for Every Negro kept back or unaccounted for, to be
recovered as afores'^ & applyed to y^ uses afores"^, w'^'' s^ Duties of Twenty
shillings Curr' mony '^ poll shall, for y' advancem' of Learning be applyed
towards y' encouragem' of one publick school in Every Cou'^ w'Mn this
Province (that is to say), one equal share thereof towards y= support of Each
School, according to y^ directions of such act or Acts of Assembly as shall
hereafter direct therein.
^n Act for y Encouragement of Learning & Erecting
Schools in y"' Several Counties w'^'in This Province.
Whereas The Preceeding Assembly's for some years Past, have had
much at heart y^ absolute necessity they have lain under in regard, both to
Duty, & Interest, to make y* best provision in their Power, for y* Liberal &
Pious Education of y^ Youth of this Province, and Improving their natural
Abilities, & acuteness (w'='' seems not to be inferior to any) so as to be fitted
for the discharge of their Duties in the several Stations & Imploym'^ they may
be Called to & Imployed in, either in Regard to Church or state. And for
y* End laid an Imposition on sundry Commodities Exported out of & others
Imported into this Province. And other Fines for y^ Raising a Fund, for the
erecting & supporting a good school in each Cou*y w*Hn this Province w"''
has succeeded w"" such desired effect. That 'tis now thought necessary & is
Prayed that it may be enacted. And Be it enacted by y= Right Hono"= y=
1724.] 172
Lord Proprietor, by & w*** y® advice & Consent of his Lord^^^ Govern', and
the upper & Lower Houses of Assembly, and y" authority of y* same. That
in some conven' Time after y® end of this present Session of Assembly there
shall, for y" ends before mentioned, be erected a School in each Cou*'' w'Mn
this Province ; at y^ most Convenient Place, as near y^ Centre of y'= County as
may be. And as may be Most Convenient for y* boarding of Children, at y*
Discretion of y= Visitors (or y" Major Part of them) that are hereafter Nomi-
nated, appointed, & Impowered by this Act in each County. And be it There-
fore Enacted by y" Authority, advice & Consent afores"^, that for y* time being
the seven several ^sons hereafter named for each Cou'^ be and are hereby
nominated, appointed, & named Visitors : and are Impowered, w"* full & suffi-
cient authority, for discharging y" several offices. Duties, & Trusts Reposed
in, & required of them by this Act, w"'in y* several & Respective Counties
wherein they Reside. (That is to say) For S' Marys County, The Rever^ Lee
Massey, James Bowles, Esq', Nicholas Lowe, Esq', M'. Samuel Williamson,
Coll. Thomas Truman Greenfeild, M'. Thomas Wanghop, and Cap' Justinian
Jordan. For Kent County, The Rever** Rich^ Sewell, The Rever^ Alex' Wil-
liamson, James Harris, Esq', Coll. Edw** Scott, M'. Simon Wilmer, M'. Gidion
Peirce, & M'. Lambert Wilmer. For Ann Arundel Cou% The Rever^ Joseph
Colbatch, Coll. Sam" Young, William Loch, Esq', Cap'. Dan" Mariartee, M'.
Charles Hammond, M'. Richard Wharfeild and John Beale, Esq'. For Cal-
vert Cou''', The Rever"* M'. Jonathan Cay, John Rowsby, Esq', Coll. John
Mackall, Coll. John Smith, M'. James Heigh, M'. Walter Smith of Leonards
Creek, M'. Benjamin Mackall. For Baltemore Cou'^, The Rever"^ M'. William
Tibbs, Coll. John Dorsey, M'. John Israel, Mr. Will" Hamilton, M'. Tho. Tol-
ley, M'. John Stokes, and M'. Thomas Sheredine. For Charles Cou"', The
Rever-^ M'. William Machonchie, M'. Gustavus Brown, M'. Geo. Dent, Cap'.
Joseph Harrison, M'. Rob' Hanson, M'. Sam" Hanson, And M'. Randal Morris.
For Talbot Cou'^ The Rever-^ M'. Henry Nicholls, Coll. Mathew Tilghman
Ward, Robert Ungle, Esq', M'. Robert Goldsborough, M'. William Clayton,
M'. John Oldham, and M'. Thomas Bozman. For Somerset Cou'^ The Rever*
M'. Alexander Adams, The Rever"^ M'. James Robertson, M'. Joseph Gray,
M'. Robert Martin, W" Stoughton, Esq', Mr. Rob' King, and M'. Levin Gale.
For Dorchester Cou'y The Rever^ M'. Thomas Howell, Coll. Roger Wool-
ford, Maj' Henry Ennalls, Cap'. John Rider, Cap'. Henry Hooper, Cap'. John
Hodson, and M'. Govert Loockerman. For Cecil Cou'^, Coll. John Ward,
^7i [1724-
Maj^ John Dowdall, Coll. Benja" Pearce, M'. Steven Knight, M^ Edw* Jackson,
M^ Rich'^ Thompson, and M''. Thomas Johnson, Jun'. For Prince Georges
Cou% The Hono"« Charles Calvert, Esq', Gover^ The Rever" M^ Jacob Hen-
derson, M^ Rob' Tyler, Coll. Joseph Belt, M^ Thomas Gant, M^ George No-
ble, and Coll. John Bradford, For Queen Ann Cou*y, The Rever"^ M^ Chris-
topher Wilkinson, Philemon Lloyd, Esq'', Rich'^ Tilghman, Esq', M'. James
Earle, sen', M'. William Turbutt, M'. Augustine Thompson, and M'. Edward
Wright. The w'^'' persons so nominated, appointed, authorized, & named, for
y* several & respective Counties as afores'^, or y* Major part of them, in Case
of Death, or absence of any, are hereby required w* all Conven' speed to
meet at such place w'Mn their Cou'^ as to them shall seem meet ; To qualifie
themselves for the office of Visitors of their Cou''' Schools, w'^'' they are to Do
by Taking y® several Oathes appointed by Act of Assembly, & signing The
oathe of abjuration & the Test, according to y" direction thereof. And also
takeing an Oath for y"= discharge of the several Duties & Trust reposed in them
in y* words following (Viz',), I, A B, Do swear y' I will duly & faithfully Dis-
charge y* Duties & Trusts Committed to me, as a visitor of Prince Georges
Cou'y School : according to y* best of my skill and Cunning. So help me
God. The w'^'' Oathes are to be administred by any of y* four ^sons last
named, for y° County, to y* '^son first named, or in his absence, to any of y*
three persons first named y' shall be present. The w'='' 'pson being sworn as
afores**, shall y° administer the Oaths aforementioned to all y" rest. So succes-
sively y^ first person named y' shall be present, shall always administer y" s**
Oaths to any y' have been absent, or y' shall hereafter be selected & Chosen,
pursuant to y^ direction of this Act, To supply y^ place of any y' shall be dead
or removed out of y* County. And y^ afores"^ 'psons, or y* Major part of
them, being sworn as aforesaid, shall be Constituted & qualified as visitors of
y'= school of their s^ Cou'^, and as such are hereby Invested w"" full power and
Authority, as a body Politick, to plead, & be Impleaded, to sue & be sued, to
defend & be defended, to answer & be answered, in all & every Cause, Com-
plaint, & action. Real, ^sonal or mixt, of w'soever kind or nature it shall be,
in any of y^ Courts & Places of Judicature w'^'in this Province. And That
they, or any of them, or any other 'pson or ^sons w'soever, either before or
after such School shall be erected, founded, & established, in any Cou'^ as
afores^ Have full power to give, & grant, assign, & bequeath, all or any man-
nours, Lands, Tenem'^ Rents, Services, Portions, Annuities, Pensions, Inheri-
1 7 24. J 174
tances, Franchises, & possessions w'soever, spiritual or Temporal, to y" value
of one Hundred pounds sterling '^ Annum. Besides all Burdens, Reprisalls,
and Reparations to them y^ s^ Visitors, or the Major Part or survivours of
them. Incorporate for such County School, for y® use of such school, to them
& their successors for ever. And Further, that y* s"* '^sons so Incorporated,
the longest Livers, & successors of them, shall be the true, sole & undoubted
Visitors of such schools, in Perpetual Succession, for ever, to be Continued in
y'= way & manner hereafter specified, w"" full & absolute Power, Liberty &
authority in making and ordaining such Laws, orders, & rules for y° good
Governm' of y" s,^ schools, as to them, y® s"^ Visitors, & their successours,
shall, from time to time, according to y^ various occasions and Circumstances,
seem to them most fitt & Requisite. All w""^ shall be observed by y" Master,
usher, Tutor & scholars of y^ s^ Schools, upon y" Penalties therein Contained.
Provided always y' the s** Rules, laws, & orders, be noways Contrary to y'=
Royal Prerogative, nor to y" Laws & Statutes of England, and Acts of As-
sembly of this Province, or to y"= Canons and Constitutions of y* Church of
England by Law Established. And for y^ Perpetuating y* Succession of y*
aforemencioned number of seven Visitors to each School, as afores^. Be it
Enacted by y'= Authority, advice & Consent afores^ that as often as any one
or more of y* visitors of any of y^ aforesaid Schools shall die or remove him-
self & family out of y^ Province, or into any other County to Reside, that
then & so often, the visitors for y" time being then surviving & Remaining
w*''in y^ County, or the major part of them. Be & are hereby authorized &
required to Elect, nominate and Choose, one or more of the principal &
better sort of y* Inhabitants of y'= Cou''' into y* place & Room of the said
Visitors of such school, so dead or removed, and so fill up y* number of Vis-
itors for each school, the which '^sons so elected & chosen, from time to time,
are always to be qualified in the same manner as is before Mentioned. And
Be it further Enacted, that The Visitors for y" time being, of each school,
being Qualified as afores^ be & are hereby authorized & Directed, w"" all
Conven' speed, to purchase one Hundred acres or more of Land, for y* use
of such School, having a special regard as to its Conveniency, that it be as
near as possible, in such place, in y^ Cou'^, as is before Directed for y* Erect-
ing of Schools by this Act. The w'''' Land when so purchased, the Visitors
are to assign such part of it as they shall see meet, not to exceed one moiety
thereof, to be built upon and cleared (if not before built upon, & cleared) for
175 [1724-
The Conveniency of making Corn & grain, and for Pasturage for y* Incour-
agem', use & benefit of the Master of such school for y" time being. The
other Moiety whereof is to be preserved in Woodland ground and no other
use made thereof by the Master w^ut the Licence & direction of y* s'' Vis-
itors, than what may be absolutely necessary for firewood, & the repairing of
y* houses & fencing already built and made, or to be built & made on such
other Moiety thereof. And that no master be Emitted, either by himself or
by any other ^son, on any Pretence whatsoever, to Plant any Tobacco on
such land or plantation. And the Visitors of the several schools, as afores"*,
are further Impowered and Directed in Case that there shall not be Sufficient
building upon any such Land, at y^ time of making a Purchase thereof, for a
Dwelling house & necessary Conveniencies for y® master, and for keeping a
school therein, & Ground cleared sufficient for y"' use afores"*, that then they,
w''' all convenient speed, agree w"" such Workmen & Laborers, or other ^son,
in y* best manner they can, that will undertake the necessary buildings &
Improvem'^ upon such Lands for y* uses aforementioned. And the Visitors
afores** are Likewise hereby directed to take all proper Methods for encour-
aging good Schoolmasters, that shall be Members of y'= Church of England,
& of Pious and Exemplary lives and Conversations, and Capable of teaching
well y^ Grammar, good Writing & the Mathematicks, if such can be conven-
iently got. And that they allow to every such Master, for his incouragem*,
for y® present (besides the benefit & use of his plantation) the sum of Twenty
pounds 'p annum ; and to take such other Measures, or make such other
Agreem*^ from time to time for y® future, as the Circumstances will admit of,
as may give due encouragement to one or more masters, and be necessary &
useful! for the Improveing & perpetuating such school. And Further, the
Visitors of every School, after it shall be erected, are hereby required to meet
thereat, at least four times a year, to Inspect into & Consider of and Direct
the necessary affairs thereof. And for y= Enabling The Visitors of y'= Schools
as afores"^ for y^ purchasing of lands and Erecting Schools, & incouraging of
Masters in manner as afores^ Be it Enacted, that y* money already raised,
for the use of County Schools, & that is now in y" publick treasurers hands,
being Divided into Twelve equal parts (answering to y= number of County
Schools now to be Erected), The Treasurers in whose hands such money lies,
are hereby required to make due payment of one of those Twelve parts, or
Dividend, of money in their hands. To the Visitors of the School for each
1724.] 176
Cou'y or y= major part of them, or their orders, whensoever they shall have
occasion to draw on such Treasurers for y* same. And the like payments shall
from time to time be made to y* Visitors as afores"*, by the Treasurers, of y=
like Dividends, that shall hereafter arise due to such Schools, and come to
their hands. And The Visitors of the Schools as afores"^ are hereby Impow-
ered to dispose of all such money as they shall receive from time to time, in
such manner as may be most for the Incouragem* & Advancem* of Schools.
And Be it Enacted likewise. That y* Visitors of each School, to be Consti-
tuted, Qualified, & Incorporated, in manner afores^ or y^ Major part of them
& their Successors, be, & are hereby enabled, to take, hold, & enjoy & be
Apt & Capable in Law, for taking, holding, & enjoying, all Mannours, Lands,
Tenem'^ Inheritances, ffranchises, & possessions whatsoever. Spiritual or Tem-
poral, to y* value of Fifteen Hundred pounds Sterl., and all other Goods,
Chattels, money, & personal Estate w'soever, of the gift of any person w'so-
ever, that already hath or Hereafter shall be willing to bestow them, for y"'
use of the s"* Schools, or any other gifts, Grants, assignments. Legacies, or
appointm*^ of y'= same, or any of them, or any other goods whatsoever, to be
applyed by y^ Visitors for the uses, & in manner aforementioned. And The
Visitors are likewise hereby Authorized to receive all fines & forfeitures as
have already arisen Due, or y' shall hereafter arise due, to their several Cou'^
Schools, in whose hands soever the same are lodged or hereafter shall be
Lodged, And upon refusal or Delay of Paym' thereof, that then they may at
their Discretion Exercise the Powers & Authorities given them as a body
Politick, by this Act, for y^ Recovery of the same, the which fines & forfeit-
ures are likewise to be apply'd to y= uses & in manner afores^ Provided
always y' y* Visitors To be appointed for every School as afores'', and their
Successors, from time to time, are hereby Impowered to appoint a Register,
& allow him a reasonable Sallary, who is hereby obliged to keep a fair ace'
of all their Proceedings, & of their applications by them to be made, of all
money's, Tobacco's, or other Comodities, or matters, or things whatsoever,
that shall come to their Hands by vertue of the Authorities given them by
This Act, w'''' shall at all times hereafter be subject to the Examination &
Correction of y* General Assembly of this Province. And be it further
Enacted, that every ^son by this Act appointed as a Visitor of the Cou'''
Schools, or that shall hereafter be nominated and appointed as such. Pursuant
to y* directions hereof, that shall wilfully refuse or Delay to take upon him the
177
[1724.
s"^ office, shall forfeit & pay for every such refusal or Delay, the sum of five
hundred pounds of Tobacco, for the use of y* School of y' Cou'^ where such
offence shall be Comitted, to be recovered in his L"'pp^ Name or at the Visitors
suit, before the Justices of that Cou'^ Court by Bill, Plaint, or Information,
wherein no Essoyn, Protection or wager of Law shall be allowed.
Octob'' y"= 18* 1723.
Read & assented to by y* Lower House
of Assembly & signed '^ ord\
M. JENIFER, Clk.
Lo. Ho.
gber ye ^6, 1 723.
On y"* Behalfe of y'= R* Hono"* y« L''
Proprietary of this Province,
I will this be a Law.
CHA. CALVERT.
gber y= jgto jy23.
Read & assented to by the
upper House of Assembly,
and signed 'p ord''.
SAMLL SKIPPON,
Clk. upper House.
Vera : Copia from y^
original. ^
VACHET DENTON.
^n Act to Confirm Lands Devised for y' use of f Church.
Whereas, for a Considerable Time, from y* first settlement of this Prov-
ince, There were few or noe Ministers to Dispence The Word & Sacram'^ ;
That y* Country was in an unsetled Condition, as to Religion, and few or noe
Parishes Erected during that time ; and Whereas several Pious & well dis-
posed persons, for promoting y^ Protestant Religion, and for Encouragem* of
Ministers, have given, or devised, several parcels of Land for y' use, but That
notw*standing, y* good Intent of several of y^ Devisors have been frustrated,
thro y" negligence or unskilfulness of The writers of wills, w'^'' is a great
Grievance to y'= Church, & has & may be a discouragem' to persons Chari-
tably Inclined to give any lands for Glebes, where they are wanted, as they
are in many parishes, w'''' makes y" Incumbent unsettled, and Reduces him to
straits, as to his Residence. For Remedy whereof for y* Future,
1724.] 178
Be it Enacted, &c% That any person or ^sons being of sound & dispos-
ing mind & memory, that have heretofore devised, or shall hereafter Devise,
any lands or Tenem'' to y^ use of any Church or Chappel w'^n this Province,
or for support or maintenance of the Clergy or Ministry of y" Church of
England as by law Established, or to the use of y^ Church, or support of y'
Protestant Religion in general, w"'out particularly mentioning to w' church,
Chappel, or Person, shall be good & Effectual in Law notw"'standing such
omission, or any Ambiguity or uncertainty in y* wording any will, if y'' intent
of y" Testator can be reasonably Collected from y'= words of y^ will or other-
wise proved.
And for putting an end to disputes about y* Rights to such Lands, be it
Enacted, &c% y' where y* Intent of y* Testator is at Large, and it does not
appear to w' Church, Chappel or person he devised such land, in such Case
y' land so divised shall goe to y* Parish or Incumbent where such land lies,
and that noe Want or Insufficiency of words, where y® Intent appears, shall
defeat such parish or Incumbent of such Land.
Provided nevertheless, y' this Law shall in nowise affect any lands y' have
heretofore been disputed or escheated, or ab' w'^'' there is at this time any con-
test or law suit depending.
And provided likewise y' such Will or Wills have or shall be signed by y*
Testator so devising y" same, or by some other person in his presence, & by
his Express directions, in the presence of three or more Credible Evidences,
THE CHARTER OF MARYLAND.
CHARLES, By The Grace of God King of England, Scotland, Ffrance, and
Ireland, Defender of y Ffaith, (Sfc", To All To whom These presents shall
come. Greeting.
Whereas, our right Trusty & well beloved subject, Cecilius Calvert, Baron
of Baltemore, in our Kingdom of Ireland, son & heir of S"" George Calvert,
Kn', late Baron of Baltemore, in y? same Kingdom of Ireland, Pursuing his
179 [i724-
faithful Intention, being excited w"' a Laudable & pious zeal for y* propaga-
tion of the Christian faith, and y* Enlargem* of our Empire and Domin-
ion ; Hath humbly besought leave of us, by his Industry, & charge, to Trans-
port an ample Colony of y^ English nation unto a certain Country hereafter
described, in y" parts of America, not yet Cultivated and planted, tho' in some
parts thereof Inhabited, by a certain Barbarous people. Having no knowledge
of Almighty God. And hath humbly besought our Royall Maj"^ to give,
grant, & confirm, all the s** Country, w* y" certain privilidges & Jurisdictions
requisite for y® good government & estate of y* Country afores^ to him & his
heires for ever. Know Yee, Therefore, y' wee, favouring y" pious & noble
purpose of y'= s*^ Baron of Baltemore, of our Special Grace, certain knowledge
and meer Motion, Have given, granted, & confirmed, & by this our present
Charter, for us our Heires & successors. Do give, grant, & confirm unto the
s"* Cecilius, now Baron of Baltemore, his heires & assigns, All y^ Part of a Pen-
insula lying in the parts of America, between the Ocean on y' East, and y*
bay of Chesepeak on y* West, & divided from the other parts thereof by a
right line drawn from y^ Promontory or Cape of land called Watkins's Point,
scituate in y^ afores* Bay, near y* River of Wigh, & in y** afores"^ bay, on y=
west unto y* Main Ocean on y° East, and between y* bound on y= south, unto
y' part of Delaware bay on y^ North w'='' lyeth under y'= fortieth degree of
Northerly Latitude of y^ Equinoctial where new England ends, and that tract
of land between y" bounds afores^ (that is to say) passing from y^ afores"^
bay called Delaware bay, in a right line by y^ degree afores"*, unto the true
Meridian of the first fountain of the River Potomack ; from thence, tending
towards the south unto the further bank of y^ afores"* River, and following
the west & south side thereof unto a certain place Called Cinquack, scituate
near the mouth of y* s^ River, where it falls into y= Bay of Chesepeak, and
from thence by a strait lyne unto y"= af"^ Promontory, & place Called Watkins's
point, so that all y' tract of Land divided by y* line afores^ drawn between the
main Ocean & watkins's point unto y"= Promontory Called Cape Charles, &
all its appurtenances, do remain Intirely Excepted to us, our heires and suc-
cessors for ever.
Wee do also grant & confirm unto the L^ Baltemore, his heires and
assigns, all Islands & Inlets w'Hn y« Limits afores^ & all & singular y''
Islands' & Inlets w-^*" are or shall be in the ocean w'Mn ten leagues from
y« Eastern shore of y* afores-^ Country towards y' East, w* all & singular
1 724-] i8o
Ports, Harbours, bays, rivers, and Inlets, belonging unto y* s^ Country
or Island afores^ and all y" soile, Lands, feilds, woods, mountaines, ffenns,
lakes, rivers, bays, & Inlets, scituate or being w'Hn y' bounds & limits afore-
said, w"^ y*" fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeon, & all other Royal
fifishes in y'= sea, bays. Inlets, & Rivers w"'in y" premisses, and y* fish therein
taken ; and moreover, all veines, mines, & quarry's, as well discovered as not
discovered, of gold, silver, gems, and pretious stones, & all other w'soever be
it of stones, mettal, or any other thing or matter w'soever found, or to be
found, w*in y* Country, Island, & limits afores"' ; and furthermore, the Patron-
ages & advowsions of all Churches (w'''' as Christian Religion shall encrease)
w*''in y* Country, Island, Inlets, & limitts afores**, shall happen hereafter to be
erected. Together w"' Lycence & power to build & found Churches, Chap-
pells, and oratory's, in Conven* and fit places, w^in y^ premisses ; & cause
them to be dedicated, and consecrated, according to the Ecclesiastical Laws
of our Kingdom of England. Together w* all and singular y* like, & as
ample rights. Jurisdictions, and ffranchises of w'soever kind temporal, as well
by sea as by land, w"'in y"= Country, Isles, Inlets, or limitts afores^. To Have,
exercise, use, & enjoy y^ same, as amply as any Bishop of Durham, w"'in y"
Bishoprick or Cou'^ of Durham hath heretofore at any time had, held, used,
or enjoyed, or of Right ought or might have, had, held, used, or enjoy'd.
And him, y^ s"* Now L"^ Baltemore, his heires & assigns, wee do by these pres-
ents, for us, our heires & successors, make. Create, & Constitute, y* true and
absolutely L"^ & Proprietor of the Country afores**, & of all other y'= premisses
(except before excepted) saving always y* faith, & allegiance & sovereign
Dominion due to us, our heires and successors. To have, hold, possess, and
enjoy the s*^ Country, Isles, Inlets, and other y'= premisses, unto the s^ Now L''
Baltemore, his heires and assigns, to y* sole & proper use and behoof of him,
y^ s*^ now L^ Baltemore, his heires & assigns for ever. To be Holden of us, our
heires & successors. Kings of England, at our Castle of Windsor, in our Cou'''
of Barkshire, In ffee & Common soccage, by fealty only, for all services not in
Capite, or by Knights service. Yielding & paying, therefore, to us, our heires
and successors, Two Indian arrows of those parts, to be delivered at our s^
Castle of Windsor every year, on the Tuesday in Easter weeke, and also the
fifth part of all gold and silver ore w'Mn y^ limits af*^, w'^'' shall from time to
time happen to be found.
Now That y= s*^ Country Thus by us granted & described, may be eminent
i8i [1724.
above all other parts of y* s*^ Teritory, and dignified w* Larger Titles, Know
Yee That wee, of our further grace, certain Knowledge, and meer motion,
have thought fit to erect y" same Country & Islands into a Province ; as out
of y* fulness of our Royall Power & prerogative, wee do, for us, our heires &
successors, erect and Incorporate them into a province, and do call it Mary-
land, and so from Henceforth will have it Called.
And for as much as wee have hereby made and ordained y^ afores'^ now
L"^ Baltemore y* true L** & Proprietor of y'= s* Province, Know Yee Therefore,
moreover y' wee, reposing special Trust & Confidence in y^ fidelity, wisdom,
Justice, & prudent circumspection of the s*^ now L** Baltemore, for us, our
heires and successors. Do grant free, full, & absolute power & authority, by
vertue of these presents, to him & his heires, for y° good and happy Governm'
of y" s*^ Province, to ordain, make, & enact, under his or their scales, to pub-
lish any laws w*soever, appertaining either to the publick state of y^ s"* prov-
ince, or unto y^ private Utility of particular parties, according to y' best
discretion, w"' y^ advice, assent, and approbation of y* freemen of y^ s"* Prov-
ince, or the greater part of them ; or of y" Deputies and Delegates whom, for
y"= Enacting of y'^ said Laws w" and as often as need shall require, wee will y'
y^ s"^ now Lord Baltemore and his heires shall assemble in such sort & form as
to him or them shall seem best, and y^ same Laws duly to Execute upon all
people w"'in y* same Province and limits thereof, for the time being, or y' shall
be constituted under y^ Governm' and power of him or them, either sailing
towards Maryland or returning from thence towards England, or any other of
our Foreign Dominions, by Implication of penalties, Imprisonm', or any other
punishm'. Yea, if it shall be needfull and that the Quality of y= offence require
it, by taking away member or life, either by him y* s"* now L"* Baltemore & his
heires, or by his & their Deputys, Lieut*', Judges, Justices, magistrates, officers,
& ministers to be ordained & appointed, according to the tenor & true inten-
tion of these presents; and likewise to appoint and establish any Judges,
Justices, & Magistrates & officers whatsoever, and w"' w' power soever, and
in such form as to y^ s^ now L"* Baltemore or his heires shall seem most
Conven'. Also to remitt, release, pardon & abolish, whither before
Judgm* or after, all crimes or offences w'soever ag' y" s*^ Laws, &c^ And to
do all & every other thing or things w'=''unto y^ compleat Establishm' of
Justice, unto Courts, Pretory's, Tribunals, forms of Judicatories, & manner of
proceedings doe belong, altho' in These presents express mention be not
1724.] 1 82
made thereof; & by Judges and by them Delegates, to award process, hold
pleas, & determine, in all y* s** Courts & tribunalls, all actions, suites, & causes
w'soever, as well Criminal as Civill, personal, real, mixt, & pretorial ; w"" laws
so as af to be published ; our pleasure is & so wee enjoyne, require, and com-
mand, shall be most absolute & available in Law, and y' all y' Liege people
& subjects of us, our heires and success'^^ do observe & keep y' same invio-
lably in these parts, so far as they concern them, under the paines therein
exprest, or to be exprest. Provided nevertheless y* s** laws be consonant to
reason, & be not repugnant, or Contrary, but as near as may be to y* laws,
statutes, customs, & rights of this our Kingdom of England.
And forasmuch as in the Governm' of so great a Province, sudden acci-
dents do often happen, whereunto it will be necessary to apply a remedy,
before y* freeholders of the s"^ province, y* Deputy's & Delegates can be
assembled, to y'= making of Laws, neither will it be conven' y' Instantly on
such emerg* occasion, so great a multitude should be called Together : there-
fore, for y* better governm', of y* said Province, wee will & ordain, & by these
presents for us, our heires & successors, Do grant unto y" s** now L"^ Baltemore
and his heires, y' he, y^ s'' now L*^ Baltemore & his heires, by themselves, or by
y" Magistrates & officers, in y' behalf duly to be ordained, as afores**, may
make & Constitute fitt & wholesome ordinances, from time to time w'^n y"
said Province to be kept & observed, as well for y* preservation of y® peace, as
for y* better governing of y"= people there Inhabiting; and publickly to notifie y*
same to all persons whom y^ same doth or may concern, w"'' ordinances our pleas-
ure is shall be observed inviolably, in the said Province under therein Exprest,
so as y" s"* ordinances be Consonant to reason, & be not repugn', nor contrary,
but so far as conveniently may be, agreable to & w* y* laws & statutes of our
kingdom of England, and so as y"= s*^ ordinances be not extended in any sort
to bind, charge or take away the right or Interest of any person or persons,
of or in their life, member, freehold, goods or Chattells.
Furthermore, that this now Colony may y* more happily encrease, by
the multitude of people resorting thither, and likewise be y* more strongly
defended from y* Incursions of savages, or other enemies, Pirates or Robbers.
Therefore wee, for our heires and successors, doe give & grant by these
Presents power, lycence, & liberty, to all y* Liege people and subjects, both
present & future, of us our heires & successors (excepting those who shall
especially be forbidden) to transport themselves & famihes into the s^ Prov-
i83 [1724.
ince w"" conven' shipping and fitting provisions, and there to settle themselves,
dwell & Inhabit, and to build & fortifie, forts. Castles, & other places of
strength, for y* publick, & for their own private defence, at the appointm' of
y' s** now L"* Baltemore and his heires. The statute of fugitives or any other
w'soever to the contrary of y* premisses, in any wise notw*''standing. And
wee will also, & for our more especial grace, for us, our heires & successors,
wee doe straitly enjoyn, constitute, & ordain, that y* s"* Province shall be of
our allegiance, and y* all and singular y'' subjects & liege people, of us, our
heires and successors, transported or to be transported unto y* s** province,
and y* children of them, and of such as shall descend from them, already born
or to be born, be & shall be Denizens of and liege of us, our heires &
successors of our Kingdom of England & Ireland, and be in all things held,
treated, reputed & esteemed, as liege people of us, our heires & successors,
born w'Hn our Kingdom of England, & likewise any lands, tenem'^ rever-
sions, revenues, services, and other Heraditam'^ w'soever, w*in our King-
dom of England, and other our Dominions, may take, have, hold, buy and
possess ; and they may have, hold, use, occupy & enjoy, sell, alien, & be-
queath ; as likewise all liberty's, franchises, & privilidges, of this our King-
dom of England. Also our will & pleasure is, and by this our Charter, Do
give unto y® said now L"* Baltemore, his heires & assigns, full power, liberty
& authority, in case of rebellion, Tumult, or sedition, if any should happen,
(w''' God forbid), either upon y^ Land w'^n y* Province aP, or upon y^ main
sea in making a voyage thither; or returning from thence themselves, or
their Captaines, Deputies, or other officers to be authorized under y' seales,
for y' purpose, to whom wee also, for us our heires & successors, do give
& grant by these presents, full power & authority to exercise Martial Law
ag' all Incursions, & seditious 'psons ; of those persons such as shall refuse
to submit themselves to his or their Government, or shall refuse to serve
in y" wars, or shall flee to the Enemy, or forsake their ensignes, or be Loy-
terers, or stragglers, or otherwise however offending ag' y^ Law, Custom,
and discipline Military, freely & in as ample manner and for us, as any
Cap' Gen" of any army by vertue of his office might or hath accustomed to
use y* same.
Furthermore, that y* way to Honours & dignitys may not seem to be
altogether precluded, & shut up to men well born, and such as shall prepare
themselves to this present plantation, and shall desire to deserve well of us
1724.] 1 84
& our Kingdom, both in peace & warr, in so far distant & remote a Country,
Therefore wee, for us, our heires and successors. Doe give free & absolute
power unto s"* now L'' Baltemore, his heires & assigns, to confer favour,
reward, and Honour, on such Inhabitants w^'in y* Province afores^ as shall
deserve y" same, and to Invest them w* what Titles & dignities w'soever, as
he shall think fit, so as they be not such as are rownsed in England, as like-
wise Elect & Incorporate Towns into Burroughs, & Burroughs into Cittys,
w"" Conven' privilidges and Immunities, according to y" merrit of y* Inhabi-
tants and fitness of y* places ; and to do all & every other thing and things,
touching y'= premisses, w'^'' to him or them shall seem meet & requisite ; albeit
they be such, as of our own nature, might otherwise require a more special
Commandm' & warr', than in these presents is exprest, wee will also, & by
these presents for us, our heires & successors, wee do give & grant, lycence
by This our Charter unto the s^ now L*^ Baltemore, his heires & assigns, and
to all y® Inhabitants of y^ Country af^ both present & to come, to Import,
or unload by themselves, serv**, factors, or assi^ all merchandize, & goods
w'soever that shall arise, of the fruits and commodities of y*' s*^ Province ;
either by land or sea, into any of y* Ports of us, our heires and successors, in
our Kingdom of England, or Ireland, or otherwise to dispose of y" s^ goods
in y* s"^ Ports, and if need be, w'Mn one year next after the unloading of y'
same, to load the s* Merchandizes and goods again, into y* same or other
ships, and to Export y'^ same again into any other Country's, either of our
Dominions or foreign, being in amity w"" us, our heires and successors, pro-
vided always y' they pay such Customes, Impositions, subsidies, & duty's of
the same, to us, our heires & successors, as y* rest of our subjects of our
Kingdom of England, for y^ time being, shall be bound to pay, beyond
w'^'' wee will not that the Inhabitants of y= af*^ Province of Maryland shall
be charged. And Furthermore, of our ample & free grace, certain knowl-
edge, & meer motion wee do for us our heires & successors, grant unto
the s'^ now Lord Baltemore, his heires and assigns, full & absolute power and
authority, to make, erect, & Constitute, w^'in y* Province of Maryland, & y*
Isles & Inlets afores^ such & so many sea port. Harbours, Creeks, & other
places, for y* discharge and unloading of goods, & merchandizes, out of ships,
boats, & other vessells, & loading them ; & in such & in many places,
and w"" such rights, Jurisdictions & privilidges unto y' s*^ parts belonging, as
to him or them shall seem most expedient ; and y* all & singular y* ships.
i85 [1724.
boats, or other vessels, w'^'' shall come for merchandize & trade Into y° s"*
Province or out of y" same, & shall depart, shall be loaded, or unloaden, only
at such ports as shall be so erected & constituted by y' s"* now L"* Baltemore,
his heires or assigns, any use. Custom, or thing, to y° contrary notw"'stand-
ing. Saving always to us, our heires & successors, and to all our subjects of
our Kingdom of England and Ireland, of us our heires & successors, free
liberty of fishing for sea fish, as well in y° sea, bays, rivers, Inlets, & navigable
rivers, as in y"= Harbours, bays, & Creeks of y" Province afores**, and y° privi-
lidge of salting and drying their fish on y° shore of y= s^ Province ; and for
the same Cause, to Cut & take underwood, or Twiggs there growing, and to
build Cottages, & sheds, necessary in this behalf, as they heretofore have
used ; w"* liberties & privilidges nevertheless the subjects of us, our heires &
successors, shall enjoy w*out any notable damages or Injury, to be done unto
y= s"* now U Baltemore, his heires & assigns, or to the dwellers or Inhabitants
of y' s^ Province, in y"= Ports, creek's, and shores afores'', and especially in y'
woods & Copses growing in y^ s"^ Province. And if any shall deny such
damage or Injury, he shall Incurr y'= Heavy displeasure of us, our heires and
successors, and the punishm' of the Laws, & shall, moreover, make satisfac-
tion. Wee do furthermore will, appoint, and ordain, and by these presents,
for us, our heires & successors, wee do grant unto the s"^ now L^ Baltemore,
his heires & assigns, may from time to time for ever, have & enjoy y^
Customes & subsidies, in the Ports, Harbours, & other Creeks and places
afores^ w*in y" Province afores'', payable & due, for merchandizes & wares,
there to be loaded or unloaded, the s^ Customs & subsidies to be reasonably
assessed, upon any occasion by themselves, & y= people there afores'^; to
whom wee give power, by these presents, for us, our heires and successors,
on Just Cause & in due proportiones, To assess & Impost y"= same.
And further, of our special grace, & of our certain knowledge and meer
motion, wee have given, granted, and by these presents, for us, our heires &
successors, confirmed unto y' s"^ now L"* Baltemore, his heires and assigns, full
and absolute power & authority, that he, y= s'' now Lord Baltemore, his heires
and assigns, from time to time, at his and their will & pleasure, may assign,
alien, demise, and enfeoffe, of y= premisses, so many, & such parts & parcells,
to him or them that shall be willing to purchase y= same, as they shall think
fit. To have & to hold to them the f son or '^sons willing to take or pur-
chase the same, their heires & assigns, in Fee simple. Fee Taile, or for term of
1 724-] i86
life or lives or years, to be held of y* now L"* Baltemore, his heires & assigns,
by such services, Customs & rents, as shall seem fit to y" s"^ now U Balte-
more, his heires & assigns, and not Immediately of us, 6ur heires or suc-
cessors. And to y° same pson or 'psons, and to all & every of them, wee
doe give & grant, by these presents, for us, our heires & successors, Lycence,
authority, & power, that such person or persons may take y^ premisses or any
parcel thereof, of y= s^ now L"* Baltemore, his heires or assigns, and the same
hold to them, their heires or assigns, in w' estate of Inheritance soever, in Fee
simple or Fee taile or otherwise, as to them or y° now L** Baltemore, his heires
or assigns shall seem expedient of y"= s^ now L"* Baltemore, his heires 8c assigns.
The statute made in y" Parliam' of Edward son of King Henry, late King of
England, our Predecessor, commonly called The Statute Quia implores Terra-
rum, lately published, in our Kingdom of England, any other statute, act, ordi-
nance, use, law or Custom, or any other thing. Cause, or matter, thereupon
heretofore had, done, made, published, or provided to y^ contrary in any wise
notw'^'standing. And by these presents, wee give & grant lycence to y^ s^
now L"^ Baltemore, his heires & assigns, to erect any parcels of Land w"'in y'
Province aforesaid, into Mannours, & in every of y° s"^ Mannors to have and
to Hold a Court Baron, w* all things w'soever which to a Court Baron doe
belong. And to Have & to Hold view of ffrank pledge, for y^ Conservation
of y° peace, and the better governm' of those parts, by themselves or their
stewards, or by the L^ for y' time being of other Mannours, To be disputed
when they shall be erected, and in the same to use all things belonging to y"
view of ffrank pledge. And Further, our pleasure is, & by these presents, for
us, our heires and assigns. That wee, our heires & successors, wee do Coven'
& grant To & w"" y* s"* now L"* Baltemore, his heires & assigns, That wee, our
heires & successors, shall at no time hereafter, set, or make, or Cause to be
set, or made, any Imposition, Custom, or other tax, rate, or Contribution
whatsoever, in or upon y° dwellers, or Inhabitants of y= af"* Province ; for their
Lands, Tenem'=, goods, or Chattels w^'in y'= s"^ Province, or in or upon any
goods or merchandize w*in y= s'^ Province, or to be loaden or unloaden w*in
any ports or harbours of y"= s** Province. And our pleasure is, and for us, our
heires & successors, wee charge & command ; that this our Deed shall, from
henceforward, from time to time be received & allowed in all our Courts, &
before all our Judges, of us, our heires & success", for a sufficient & lawful
discharge, paym', & acquittance. Commanding all and singular, our officers
1 87 [1724.
and minister's, of us, our heires & successors, & enjoyning them, upon paines
of incurring our high displeasure, that they doe not presume, at any time, to
attempt any thing to y^ Contrary of y" premisses, or that they doe not, in any
sort, w"'stand y'' same ; but they be at all times aiding & assisting unto y' s^
now L"^ Baltemore & his heires, and to y" Inhabitants & merch'= of Maryland
afores"*, their serv'", IVTinisters, factors & assigns, in the full use & fruition of
y" benefit of this our Charter. And further, our pleasure is, and by these
presents for us, our heires and success"^, wee do grant unto the s"^ now L"*
Baltemore, his heires & assigns, and to y' Tenants & Inhabitants of y" said
province of Maryland, both present & to come, and to every of them, that y"=
s** Province, tenants, & Inhabitants, of y^ s"* Colony or Country ; shall not from
hence forth be held, or reputed, as a member or part of Virginia, or of any
other Colony w'soever, now transported, or hereafter to be Transported, nor
shall be depending on, or subject to, their Governm' in anything from whom
wee do separate that & them. And our pleasure is, by these presents, that
they be separated, and y' they be subject Immediately to our Crown of Eng-
land, as depending thereof for ever. And if by Chance hereafter it should
happen y' any doubts or questions shall arise, concerning y'= true sence &
understanding of any word, cause, or sentence, contained in this our present
Charter, wee will, ordain & Command, that at all times, & in all things, such
Interpretation be made thereof, and allowed, in any of our Courts w'soever,
as shall be Judged most advantagious and favorable unto y' s"^ now L"* Balte-
more, his heires & assigns. Provided always y' no Interpretation be admitted
thereof; but w"" Gods Holy & Christian Religion, or y' allegiance due unto
us, our heires & successors, may in any thing suffer prejudice or diminution,
altho' express mention be not made in these presents, of y'' true yearly value,
or Certainty of the premisses, or any part thereof, or of other gifts & grants
made by us, our heires and successors, unto the s"^ now L^ Baltemore, or any
statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restraint, heretofore had,
made, published, ordained, or provided ; or any other thing, Cause, or matter
w'soever, to the Contrary thereof, in any wise notw"'standing.
In Witness whereof, wee have caused These our Letters to be made
Pattents. Witness our self at Westminster, y' 20"' day of June, in the Eighth
year of our Reign. Anno 1632.
1724.] i88
Govern'' CALVERT S Letter to the Commissary,
Anapolis, y= is"" Ap", 1724.
Rev° S",
I have lately been favoured w* a Letter from the Right Rev"^ The L"* Bishop
of London, wherein he has recommended to me to protect & favour y" Church
& Clergy. This has only Inliven'd my disposition for so good a worke. My
Inclination being always bent to render them any service in my power, and
over & above, I think it one great duty of y^ trust committed to me, as far as
in me lies, to promote y' true Interests of Religion in this Province. Having
often declared these my sentim'^ I need say no more, than y' I pay all due re-
spect to y' Recommendation of so worthy a Prelate, and desire you to acquaint
the Clergy on y' shore to meet me at Annapolis y^ 27"" of May next, to pro-
pose to me any particulars wherein I can be serviceable ; and I believe that
may be a proper time to Consider y° matters his Lord^P desires a light into.
I think such a Convention necessary y' the Clergys answer to his Lord^^ may
be set in y° Clearest light. You are to expect only this from me, for opening
y' Convention, & be assured that I am
Rev"* S',
w"" great Esteem,
y' most Humble Serv',
To y"= Rev"* M^ Jacob Henderson, CHA. CALVERT,
in Prince Geo. Cou'^.
The Clergy being met f 27'* of May, according to f foregoing letter, addressed
his Excell'" as follows :
May it please y" Excell",
Wee, the Clergy of y' Western Shore Conven'd by y' ord., beg leave to
approach you w* our unfeign'd thanks for y° hearty Zeal you have always had,
and continue to show for the Interest of the Church & Clergy in particular, for
y' pious declaration in y' letter to our late Commissary. That it is one great
1 8*9 [1724.
duty of y= Trust committed to you, as far as in you lies, to promote y' true
Interest of Religion in this Province.
Wee gratefully acknowledge y' you have not only declared These Sen-
tim'^ but upon all occasions given full proof of them, and wee cannot suffi-
ciently express how Ingaging y'^ respect is you pay to the recommendation of
our present Right Rev^ Diocesan.
This present opportunity yo' Excell^^ has given us of meeting Together,
to propose any particular for y" good of y= Church, and to set our answers to
his LordPP^ Queries in y* Clearest light is most favorable.
These things call not only for our thanks, but for a suitable return of Duty
& affection, and wee take this opportunity to declare that wee are not only
full of Duty & Loyalty to his most Gracious Maj''' King George, & obedi-
ence to y"' ExcelK, but shall at all times make use of the Influence wee have
over our people to Infuse into them, and Confirm them, in the same sentim".
Wee are,
May it please y"' Excel^^
y' Most Dutifull & obed' serv'=,
James Williamson, Rector of All Saints Parish in
Calvert Cou'>'.
James Cox, Rector of Westminster Parish.
Peter Tustian, Rect"^ of S', James Parish.
Jacob Henderson, Rector of S'. Barnabas.
Jo*" Frasar, Rector of King George parish in Prince
Geo. Cou'y.
Jon a" Cay, Rector of Christ Church.
Giles Rainsford, Rector of S'. Paul's.
W" Maconchie, Rector of Port Tobacco & Dur-
ham in Charles Cou'^".
Jo" Donaldson, Rector of King and Queen parish
in S'. Mary's and Charles Cou'^'.
W" TiBBS, Rector of S'. Paul's Parish in Baltemore
Cou"'.
1724] 190
^ERIES to be Answered by every MINISTER.
ST. PAUL'S PARISH IN BALTEMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
It is four & twenty years since I went over to the Plantations as a mis-
sionary.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I never had any other church before that which I now possess.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I have been duly licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a mis-
sionary in the Governm' I now am in.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
It is four and twenty years since I have been Inducted into my living.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am ordinarily resident in the parish to which I have been inducted, for I
have not been one month absent from my Parish this 24 years.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
The extent of my parish is — 40 miles in breadth & 40 in length, & the
number of families in my Parish are 363.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There is not one native Indian in my Parish, but there are negroes and
mollattoes many, but all bond. Many of them I have baptized & instructed
in the principles of the Christian Religion, but most have refused instruction.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Divine Service is performed in my church every Sunday in the year, &
upon some Holidays, and for the most part a full congregation of my parish-
ioners attend it.
191 [1724-
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
Three times in the year at least the sacram' of the Lords supper is admin-
istered, & seldom above 25 at a time.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Every Sunday during the 6 weeks in Lent, & at other times when their
parents & masters are pleased to send them.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
I have a good large Bible & common prayer Book, but neither surplice,
pulpit cloth. Cushion, nor Plate for the communion service but pewter.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
The value of my living is not in sterling money. It arises in Tobacco.
This present year it is 47360 pounds of Tobacco (never so much before).
And when the Sheriffs & Clerks Salaries are deducted out of it, besides what
the law has taken from me against my consent and my Parishioners (if your
Lordship allows of it), the remainder turned into sterling money will be near
;^6o as Tobacco goes now.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
I have both House and Glebe, my Glebe is neither in Lease, nor let by the
year. It is occupied by myself.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
There is not due care taken to preserve my House in Good repair. It is
done at the Expence of the parish.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure, and that duly served, according to the direction of the
Kubrick.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
I have no public school in my parish for the Instruction of youth.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I724.]. 192
I have a small parochial Library. The Books are preserved & kept in
good condition. I have no particular Rules and orders for the preserving of
them.
W^ TIBBS, Rector.
29"" May, 1724.
KING & QUEEN PARISH, SAINT MARY AND CHARLES COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
About 12 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
At my first arrival I was inducted into Somerset parish^ in Somerset county,
from thence removed to Westminster Parish, from thence 9 years ago removed
to King & Queen parish.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was duly Licensed,
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
Nine years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Ordinarily resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
About 36 miles long and seven broad, and contains about 200 families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
Negroes & Mulattoes. Some of them that understand English come duly
to church, where the means of Instruction are to be had.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it?
Every Sunday and Holyday, most part of the Parishioners attending.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
12 times a week yearly, the number of communicants sometimes more,
sometimes less, but generally between 60 & 80.
193 [1724-
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
On all Sundays and holidays.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Yes.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
I can't ascertain the value of my living, it being paid in Tobacco, which is
an uncertain commodity, & the number of taxables ; sometimes more, some-
times less.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
I have a Glebe, which I let by the year.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
It has been repaired at the parish charges.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have one parish, but 2 churches, in which I preach alternately.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
There are some private, but no public schools in my parish.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have a small Library, the Books kept by me in good condition, & accord-
*ing to act of assembly, twice yearly visited by the vestry.
JNo DONALDSON.
ST ANN'S PARISH, AT ANNAPOLIS.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
9 years last August.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I have had no other church.
1 724-] 194
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Yes, I have.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
9 years last Nov'.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Yes, I am.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
40 miles in length, & consists of 1 30 families, or thereabouts.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are no Heathens, except some negro slaves, many of whom, after
Instruction from their masters and from me, when sent, and after due exami-
nation, are daily admitted to Baptism.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday twice, every Wednesday & Friday, & every holiday.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
Once every month, besides the great festivals ; the usual number of com-
municants is 30.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Every Sunday, Wednesday, & Friday in Lent.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Yes ; as far as the circumstances of the place will allow.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
That is uncertain, it arising from Tobacco, which is of a value uncertain.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
I have no house nor Glebe.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have no other cure but this parish.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
195 [i724-
There is a public free school here, maintained by a Fund raised by the
oountry. The master's name is M'. Michael.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
Here is a toUerable good Provincial Library, but no parochial one. The
books are well preserved.
SAMUEL SKIPPON.
CHRIST CHURCH, CALVERT COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
12 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
Was first possessed of William & Mary parish, in Charles County ;
removed to this Jan. 27, 1 714-5.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Duly licensed by the R' Rev"* the Bishop of London for this Government.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
About 9 years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Constantly resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
About 32 miles long & 6 or seven wide ; number of families about 230.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No Infidels, but negro & mulatto slaves. Masters are press'd to instruct
them & allow liberty to attend Divine service & other means of instruction ;
several have been baptized, & 2 are communicants.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Lord's day & some Holidays ; more have been attempted, but
I724J 196
without success. The greatest part of the parishioners constantly attend,
except a few Papists & quakers, which are more numerous.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
6 times a year ; usual number of communicants about 40.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish?
In Lent.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Duly provided.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
It arises in Tobacco, at 40 pounds per poll ; the value in sterl: money I
cannot ascertain, it is so variable ; the quantity of Tobacco is likewise vari-
able.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
An House & Glebe occupied by myself.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair? And at whose
expense is it done ?
Kept in good repair at my own Expence. The usual Rent of such an
one is about 600 pounds of Tobacco, which falls short of the expence in
repairing.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure, in which is a church & a chapel, which are served
alternately.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
None ; but encouragem' being lately given by an act of assembly for a
school in Mary County, we have made some steps that way.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
A small Library, kept in good condition ; no rules, only subject to a
visitation once in 6 months by the vestry, by vertue of an act of assembly.
JONATHAN CAY, Rector.
197 [1724-
ALL FAITH PARISH IN ST MARY'S & CHARLES COUNTY, UPON PATUXENT
RIVER, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
16 years ago, viz', in 1708.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
No other Church before I came to that I now possess.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I have been duly licenced by the Right Rev"^ Father in God, late Lord
Bishop of London, P. M.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
I have been Inducted into my living almost 1 6 years, viz., ever since the
latter end of July, 1708.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I have constantly resided in the parish to which I was first inducted.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
My parish is 50 miles in length, between 3 & 4 miles broad; in all, 152
protestants & 52 popish families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ? and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No Infidels that I know of but new negroes ; all or most of the old are
country born negroes.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
I have two Churches in my Parish, viz., a parish church & a chapel of
Ease, above 20 miles distant from each other. I perform divine service in
both churches every other Sunday throughout the year when the health of my
Body & the weather will permit me to travel, & I have ordinary [word oblit-
erated] number of Parishioners that attend in both churches, and often a full
church in good weather.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
1724.] 198
I administer the Sacrament of the Lord's supper at least 3 times every
year, some years four or five times ; my usual number of Communicants are
between 50 & 60, seldom fewer than 20.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
I catechize the youth of my Parish as often as I can prevail with their
parents & masters to send them to Church.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
I have taken care since I have been inducted into this Parish to get the
church of my parish furnished with 2 sets of communion plate, two flaggons
for wine, and cushions and vallons for the pulpit, for the decent and ordinary
performance of Divine service.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
My living arises in Tobacco, amounting to 2200 per ann., the clerks &
sheriffs being deducted. The value of it is very uncertain and variable, some
years more and some years less.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have a Glebe and a small house upon it occupied by myself
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair? And at whose
expense is it done ?
No care taken by the parish to the repairing of my house. I am at the
whole expence myself this 1 2 years.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I Never had any more cures than one this 1 2 years.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
I have no publick school within my parish for the Instruction of youth, but
we are a going about it.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have no parochial Library as yet, but I expect one very quickly.
ROB^ SCOTT..
199 [1724-
WILLIAM AND MARY PARISH.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
A year.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
No.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Yes.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
A year.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Yes.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
30 miles long & 10 wide. The number of the families unknown, because
there are so many romans.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No, they are removed backwards.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Once a day, by reason of the distance. I have two churches, which I
attend each once a fortnight, &c., out of good levies. I've about 400 auditors,
300 at one church and 200 at another.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
I have given it six times since my induction, & had the last time about an
hundred communicants at each church.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
At Lent.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Since my service, the vestry have sent for all things necessary (viz*), Plate,
& books, &c.
1 724-] 200
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
About 80 pound, the 40 p" pole computed at a penny current 'p pound.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself?
An Extraordinary Glebe of 400 acres left to the parish. The house very
indifferent.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
It has been repaired over & over. The vestry I hope will build a new
one.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
2, S' George's & S' Mary's.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
There are Gentlemen as Feoffees for the settling a free school in every
parish of this Province, each school to have 100 acres of Land. The master
of this is not chose yet.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
Yes. Dr. Bray has requested this year a catalogue of ever Library, with
the present state & condition of them. The Gent" of that vestry (when there
is no incumbent to take care of them), but (with respect to my parish Library)
They've been too remiss.
LEIGH MASSEY.
ST PAUL'S PARISH, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
12 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
One in North Carolina for 2 years; removed thence by reason of the
Indian war in those parts, and recommended by letter to the Governor of
20I [1724-
Virginia to the Gov' of Carolina. Staid in Virginia six years, & have been 4
years here.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Duly Licensed by the Bishop of London.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
Three years & 9 months.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Ordinarily resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
30 miles in length, and near 10 in breadth. Number of families near 120.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No Infidels, but negroes & mullatoe slaves. They have free liberty from
their masters to attend divine service & other means of instruction, & one of
these slaves is a constant communicant, & at least 40 are baptized in a year.
Infants & adults.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Lord's day, & the greatest part of them attend divine service.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
The 1st Sunday in every month, besides Xmas day, Easter day, & Whit-
sunday. The number of communicants seldom less than 60.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
In the summer season, by reason of the length of the days, which gives
children and slaves opportunity of coming from the remotest parts of the
Parish to the church for that end.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
All things decently provided.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
I cant determine the value in sterl: by reason of the great uncertainty of
the commodity of Tobacco we are paid our salaries in.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
26
1724.] 202
A Glebe, but no house, for I found it so on my Induction. It lies un-
tenanted.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
No house to repair.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
One cure, & in that a church and a chapel which are served thus : 2 Sun-
days at the church & the third at chapel.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
No public School, but encouragem' lately given by act of assembly for
that end.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
A Parochial Library, but small, & 'tis kept in good condition.
GILES RAINSFORD.
ALL SAINTS' PARISH, IN CALVERT COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
1 1 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
Was first possessed of Shrewsbury Parish, in Kent County; removed to
this May 11* 1722.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Duly Licensed by the Right Rev*^ the Bishop of London for this Province.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
About 2 years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Ordinarily resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
203 [1724.
About i 6 miles long & 1 2 broad ; number of families, 208.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No Infidels, but negroes & mullattoes. Slaves masters are pressed to
instruct them, & allow liberty to attend divine service & other means of
instruction ; several have been baptized.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday & some holidays ; more have been attempted, but without
success. The greatest part of the Parishioners constantly attend.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
1 2 times a year ; usual number of communicants about 60.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
In Lent.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
A surplice and font are wanting.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
It arises in Tobacco, at 40 ^ poll ; the value in sterling cash I can't ascer-
tain, it is so variable. The quantity of Tobacco is likewise variable.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
We have no Glebe.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the Instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
We have no Public School.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
Library in my Possession ; kept in good condition ; no rules, only subject
to be visited by the vestry twice a year by act of assembly.
JAMES WILLIAMSON, Rector.
1724.] 204
ST JAMES'S PARISH, IN ANN-ARUNDL cQY, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
4 years & a half.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I was sent first to S' George's Parish, in South Carolina, & removed hither
anno domini 1721.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I have a License in form for Carolina ; but not only your Lordship's Pre-
decessor's Letter of Leave to remove hither.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
I should have told your Lordship before had I had room, that I was
inducted first to Westminster Parish in this city, & removed hither April 5,
A. D. 1722.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am constantly resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
The extent of my parish is about 8 or 9 miles round my church, and con-
tains about 1 50 families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are no Infidels in my Parish except negroes & mulatto slaves, some
of which are instructed by their masters & mistresses, & 4 have been baptized
in my time.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Divine service is performed in my church on every Lord's Day, & on the
principal holidays, and is generally attended by near f of the parish, the
remainder being Dissenters (viz.), 40 families of Quakers, 5 of Papists, i of
Presbyterians, & i of Annabaptists.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
205 [1724.
I administer the Sacrament monthly, & have sometimes 20, sometimes 30,
& sometimes 40 communicants.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
I catechise the youth only in the spring of the year..
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Generally speaking, they are.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
My revenue arises in Tobacco, but the Trade of that Commodity is so
very uncertain, that I can give your Lordship no tolerable account of the
value in sterling money.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have a Glebe but no house on it ; part of the Glebe I occupy myself &
part I let by the year.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
I have no public school in my Parish.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have a parochial Library, & by a Law of this Province the vestry is
obliged to visit it twice in the year. The intent of which Law has been so
well answered that not one book has been lost since the first Donation of it.
I am, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most obed' serv',
28* May, 1724. PETER TUSTIAN.
KING GEORGE'S PARISH, IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, ON POTOMACK
RIVER, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
23 years last Nov'' I arrived in Virginia.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
1 724 J 206
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I served D'. Geo. Chalmers, rector of Hood, in the diocess of Durham &
County of Northum¥; in the capacity of a curate, annis 1697, 1698, 1699 ; the
1st four years after my arrival into Virginia, I was hired by the Parishioners,
as the custom then was ; obtained a permit from Gov' Nicholson, removed
into Maryland, and was inducted into Durham & Portobacco Parishes, in
Charles county.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Upon recommendation of the clergy of the Deanery of Banborough and
the peculiars of the Dean & chapter of Durham, dated June 4'^ 1 700, to the
then Bishop of London, & had License as a Missionary, dated at Fulham
House, Aug' 29, anno 1700, for Virginia.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
I was inducted into this parish March is"", 1709-10. The only motive of
my removal was my wife's real Estate being in this Parish, & am the first that
ever was inducted into this parish.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am ordinarily resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
A frontier parish about 70 miles inhabited, the breadth about 4 miles for
the lower 15 miles, 10 miles in breadth for the next 24 miles, and about 20
miles in breadth for the residue, about 1200 taxables & near 400 families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
The Bond slaves are negroes & mullatos, of w'"" sort I have baptized a
great many, both infants, but particularly of adults. They frequent my
churches ordinarily, & say their Catechism. The free are native Indians,
who are aversed to Christianity.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Sundays & some holidays ; more were & still are attempted, but to no
great effect ; frequently a large auditory in both churches.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
207 [1724.
8 times a year ; sometimes about 50, sometimes about 70 Communicants
in each place.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
From Easter to Michaelmas.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service?
My Parish church in its infancy was twice built with timber of all [word
illegible] the half of a poll to a reader ; the other half was not sufficient to
pay the workmen & keep the wooden churches in repair, & lately built a new
church with brick from the ground to the great expences of the Parishioners ;
not yet able to purchase Glass for window plate, &c.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise?
The Trade is so uncertain that it is impossible to give a Just account of
the true value of it in ster: money.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have a Glebe, not possessed by myself but let by the year, and no house.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
Ut supra.
Have you more Cures than one? If. you have, what are they? And ip
what manner served ?
One cure only ; served thus : 3 Sundays I preach at my Parish church,
the 4''' at a chapel, and one week day every month I preach & catechise in
the new settlements, and on another week day from Easter to Michaelmas I
preach in a 4th place in another corner of my Parish, both which places are
inconvenient to either church or chapel.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
Private schools only.
Have you a Parochial Library? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
No, not one Book. This parish was but newly seated when D'. Bray was
in this Governm'.
Annapolis, May 28, 1724. J. ERASER.
1 724-] 208
ST BARNABAS, IN QUEEN ANN PARISH, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
Fourteen years next March.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I was missionary from the Honourable Society de propaganda Fide for
two years in Pennsylvania. I removed from thence into this province by their
Licence first obtained first to S' Ann's Parish in Annapolis, where I was incum-
bent one year ; from thence I removed to Saint Paul's in this county, where I
was incumbent 4 years, from thence to this parish, where I have been 7 years
next March.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Duly Licensed for any part of America.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
7 years next March.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
About 20 miles long & 1 2 broad ; about 300 families in it.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
None except negro or mullatto slaves. I often in my sermons press the
necessity of their instruction. I catechise them in church and out of church,
& have baptized great numbers of them^ their issue are baptized when
Infants.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday & most holidays ; about 300 attend on Sundays, but not
above 20 on holidays, & often fewer.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
Twice in the month ; once at the church and once at the chapel ; about 60
communicants at each place.
209 [1724-
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish?
At every Spring and fall, the weather being excessive hot in the summer,
and excessive cold in the winter, prevents in these seasons.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
As decent as in any church in London that I have seen, & I have been in
most great churches.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
My benefice is in Tobacco, which makes it impossible to rate it certain in
ster: money. Sometimes I make ^200 a year sterling of it, and sometimes
not ;^6o, but oftener betwixt the two sums, as Tobacco rates in England.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
I have neither house nor Glebe, but design a Plantation of my own for my
successors.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
But one cure, a church & chapel, the chapel begun by my wife at her own
expence, & since finished by me for the use of an extreme part of the parish ;
well & decently beautified ; Divine service every 3"^^ Sunday at it.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
None but private schools.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have no parochial Library, but a tolerable one of my own.
JACOB HENDERSON.
PORTOBACCO & DURHAM.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
1 3 years and a half.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
1724.] 2IO
I had none.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Yes.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
13 years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Yes.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
It is about 20 miles square, and there are about 300 families in both Parishes.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are several negroes and mulattoes, most of which are bound slaves.
Their masters are exhorted to instruct them in the Christian Religion, &
several are baptized & frequent the Church.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Divine service is performed on all Sundays & most holidays alternately at
each parish church, where most of the Parishioners are present, & give con-
stant attendance.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
About 6 times at each church every year ; the number of communicants
uncertain, sometimes 40, sometimes 50, & often more.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
I most commonly go to the schools in the parish where there are many
youths & catechize them there.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Yes.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
The value of my living in sterling money is very uncertain. Tobacco, out
of which it arises, being sometimes sold for more than at other times, but I
guess it to be worth about ;^8o per ann.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year. Or is it occupied by yourself?
211
[1 724.
I have a Glebe, but no house ; it never was leased or occupied by myself
or any other in Portobacco Parish ; and another in Durham, which is so mean
that no man can live in it.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
The above answer resolves this question.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have 2, which were always served as before declared {i. e.), once in a
fortnight on Sundays, besides holidays, Divine service is performed at each
parish church.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
As yet there is no school endowed in my Parish, though there are 7 or 8
private schools in it.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules, and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have a small library in Durham parish. All the Books that 1 received
when inducted are extant & lye in a very good condition. The rules and
orders for preserving them appointed by our General assembly are complied
with.
WIL: MACONCHIE.
STEPNEY PARISH, IN SOMERSET COUNTY, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
20 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
At first I had also the cure of the next parish, called Somerset parish.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Yes.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
About 19 years.
1724-] 212
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been In-
ducted ?
Yes.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many FamiHes are there in it?
50 miles long, 1 6 miles wide, & about 400 families.
■Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are Indians & Negro slaves. Some Negroes are baptized after
instruction in the Church Catechism, & frequent the public" worship. No
means used to convert the Indians ; their language unknown to us.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Upon the Lord's day & holy days in summer time some hundreds attend ;
in winter our congregations are small in church & both chapels, because the
ways are very deep, & as the season is very cold.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
It is uncertain sometimes ; thrice or oftener as we can get wine ; about 50
communicants at church, and about 40 in one of the chapels.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
On Sundays.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in 'the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
We have no furniture for the communion Table or pulpit.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it
arise ?
It arises from 40 pounds tobacco 'p poll ; the number of taxables & price
of tobacco is very uncertain ; tobacco is of less value here than other coun-
ties; money or bills of Exchange for tobacco is vara avis. This year the
merchants in their stores allowed us 4^- per hundred pounds Tobacco, Goods
at first cost, so that at this reckoning my living this year is about fifty five
pounds sterling.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
There is Land for a Glebe, but it is so poor that I never could get any
person to live upon it.
213 [1724.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair? And at whose
expense-is it done?
Ut supra.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have none.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
There are none, but several private schools.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
We have some books, & in good order.
ALEX"^ ADAMS.
CHRIST CHURCH PARISH, ON KENT ISLAND, IN MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
1 7 years the 29"^ of May last, since I went over first, 9, the 1 6"' Aug' next,
since I came over last.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
Yes, several ; the last was that of Basstene, in the Christophers, only one
person. I officiated at that of [illegible], in Newfoundland, whilst in my
Journey hither, & thence I have arrived here 4 years ago the 31^' of Ocf last.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I have 2 Licenses, one to the Leward Islands, another to the next province
in this Continent, w"'' has been deemed and is commonly a sufficient authority
for this or any other of the adjacent provinces.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
3 years The 1 6"" May last.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Yes, I have not been a week out of it since inducted.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
1724.] 214
About 1 6 or 20 miles long, 3 & 7 wide, contains about a hundred families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are negroes under the Government of their masters, & one family
of them free, which are baptized, the chief means of use of benefiting any is by
my endeavors to execute my office according to the established constitutions,
non aliter rege, alio modo, as enjoined in my licence.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday, & on all chief holidays & others, if but a few come to-
gether. There is commonly a pretty full congregation on Sundays, if it be
fair weather, about 2 or 300, but often much less. There is in my parish part
of one family that are Quakers, part of 2 or 3 families that are Papists, which
are all that I know of, that do wholly absent themselves.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
3 times a year; from about 10, 20, to between 20 & 30. I have never
made it mv business to number them, but have often desired a foreknowledge
at such times according to the Rubrick, but they have not yet altogether com-
plied with it.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
On Sundays in the congregation when they send 'em, as I have often im-
portuned their parents & masters to do. Their children here are most young
at school ; the schoolmaster had promised to bring them last Lent, but has
not yet performed.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Yes, for the most part ; we have not a carpet nor Linen for the commun-
ion table, but what is provided by me or the church wardens on sacram' days,
nor a surplice, but we have often had the procuring of it in agitation.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
Of an uncertain value ; from about 20 to above ;^30. It arises out of the
number of the Taxables, which was this last year 260, which at 40 ^ poll
amount to 10720; sheriff's dues, substracted, 10184.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
215 [1724.
Yes, it is a freehold secured for the minister of this parish for ever, & I
live upon it myself.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
Yes, there has been some care taken at the Expence of the parish Levies
laid up for such purposes whilst they had no minister. The old houses are
left out of repair, but they have built me a new dwelling house, which is yet
scarcely thoroughly finished.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
No ; I have but this Island, which makes but one small Parish.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
There are several small schools here, but none endowed. Ministers'
names, Tho^ Handcock, Isaac Barnes, Jn° Lawson.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
We have no proper Library, but I have understood that there are a few
books, with this mission or most of them, that they belong to this parish &
are to be lent scattered about in several hands. I have endeavoured to get
them together, but have only got three of different sorts, which I take care to
preserve in as good condition as they were delivered me in. There is a Law
about founding of Libraries, but the Books being so few and all of them not
yet delivered into my hands, I have not concerned myself withall any farther
than above ment"^, which is the chief on my part I think that is of any real
significance.
June 3■^^ 1724. THO^ PHILLIPS.
ST PAUL'S, IN QUEEN ANN'S COUNTY, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
It is 13 years & 8 months since 1 arrived in Maryland.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
I was inducted into Allhallows parish, in Somerset County, first, & con-
I724-J 2i6
tinued there 2 years, & in Nov"', 171 3, I was inducted into S' Paul's, where I
have now been 10 years & almost 7 months.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was licensed by the Bishop of London, Feb'' 23, 1710, to officiate in this
province.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
I have been inducted into my living 10 years & 7 months.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I have been constantly resident in my parish.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
My parish is in extent about 40 miles, & in breadth near 20 miles, &
contains in it 542 families, of which many are Roman Catholics and some
Quakers.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are no Infidels but negroes who are slaves, & have no time allowed
them by their masters but on the Lord's days only, & many permit them on 3
days, to make provision for themselves.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Divine service is performed every other Lord's day in the parish church
& Chapels of Ease by me & a reader whom I maintain at my own charges.
In summer we have about 300 persons in the parish church, & in the chapels
about 200. In winter as the weather permits.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
The sacram' is administered once in every month. The usual number of
communicants in the parish church is between 60 & seventy, in the chapels 30
or 40 at a time.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
In the spring & autum, & those who live at a great distance from the
Church I go to their several schools & inform myself how the masters dis-
charge their duty, & I find them very diligent & careful therein.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
217 [1724-
All things are tolerably well disposed & provided in the Church for the
decent & orderly performance of divine worship, only fonts are wanting, &
the parish church very much out of repair.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
The revenue of my living arising out of Tobacco makes the value of it
uncertain. Tobacco for these 3 or 4 years hath been extremely low, & sel-
dom gives a good price above 3 years together. I compute my living from
60 to a hundred & fifty pounds a year.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have no house nor Glebe belonging to the Church in this Parish.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
The house I live in being my own, is repaired by me at my own expences.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have no cures but one ; in my parish I have one church & 3 chapels of
Ease, served by me & a reader.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the Instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
We have no public school at present. One is to be erected in every
county by an act of assembly, but how it will be endowed is not yet certain.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
Our Parochial Library is very small. A catalogue of the Books I here-
with send you. They are kept by me, & a catalogue of them signed by me
put into the hands of the vestry, who view them once a year.
CHRIS: WILKINSON.
June I2'^ 1724.
GREAT CHOPTANK PARISH, DORCHESTER COUNTY, IN MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
I have been in Maryland as a missionary ever since the year of our Lord
1697 (viz*, 27 years).
1724-1 2i8
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you now
possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you been
removed ?
I was inducted into the parish above said, as also in that of Dorchester in
s'^ county at my very i=' arriving in the province, the last of which I resigned
about 1 6 years since.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was duly licensed by Henry, the then Lord Bishop of London.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
This Ens'*, supra.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am, & have been constantly resident in the parish above said, unless
for the space of 4 years that I resided in the parish of Dorchester afore-
said.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
The extent of my parish is 60 miles in length, in breadth in some places
25 or 30, & in other places 2 or 3. The number of families I can not ace'
for, the Estimate whereof may be made by [illegible] of Taxables, which is
about 1000.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
Negroes & mulattoes ; many of them are baptized, & many others stand
Candidates for Baptism every day. I have Indians in my parish that live
under the free Government of their own petty princes, of whose conversion
there has as yet no public means been used, but provisions now are resolved
upon.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what pro-
portion of the Parishioners attend it ?
I have in my parish one parish Church, wherein I constantly officiate at
large every 2°^ & 4"" Lord's day in each month of the year. There are also
2 chapels in the same, the one whereof I supply on every i^' Lord's day in the
month, & the other on every 3"^^ Sunday in the month, & another where I
officiate every s"' Sunday that happens in the year, & when no such Sunday
happens, I go to them once in the month on an appointed week day, so that
each chapel is supplied once in every month & the parish church twice. The
219 [1724-
2 former of these chapels are 20 miles distant from each other, & from the
church the other is five & 30 miles.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
For want of a competent number of communicants & necessaries for the
decent administration of the Lord's supper, The same is not as yet so fre-
quently administered as I could desire, but however not less than 4 times in
the year.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
The youth are catechised in all the above said Congregations all the sum-
mer half year, during which season a considerable number of children attend
in every congregation.
Are all things duly disposed and provided iri the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
With great regret of mind I declare that as yet my parishioners have not
been prevailed with to provide the necessaries for the decent performance of
divine service, having neither surplice, pulpit cloth, nor Linen or vessels for
the communion Table, but there is of late something of a fund beginning for
these holy uses.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
For the yearly value of my living (could I make the best advantage of it),
communibus annis, it would be worth ;^i5o per ann: but the exigencies of my
family necessitating me to lay it out too soon in the year, & the distresses of
the needy in my parish renders me unable of making the best advantage
of it.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
I have neither house nor Glebe.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
Ut supra.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
1 724-] 220
There is in my parish one public school endowed with ;^ 20 current money,
which is about ^15 sterling yearly, for which the master is obliged to teach
ten Charity scholars. The master is Philip Cilbeek.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have a parochial Library, as well preserved & kept in as good condition
as such things can well be expected to be kept in, & so they appear to the
vestry, who, pursuant to act of assembly in that case provided, frequently view
them,
THQs HOWELL, Rector.
COVENTRY PARISH, IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
6 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
I had Westover Church in Virginia & have been removed 3 years.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to ofificiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was Licensed for the Governm* of Virginia.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
3 years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
I am.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
Of 35 miles & there are in it near 300 families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are Indians whose Language we dont understand & there are negro
slaves whereof some come to Church & are baptized & others who neither by
their own consent nor their masters are willing to be baptized.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
221 [1724-
Every Lord's day & some holidays. In summer between 2 & 300 & in
the winter fewer attend it.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
5 or 6 times & we usually have 100 Communicants.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Every Sunday in summer after 2°"^ Lesson.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
All things are.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
Our Living arises from 40 pounds of Tobacco levied on each taxable, the
number of the Taxables & also the price of the Tobacco is very variable ;
this present year it's in this County 4^ sterling in British goods at i^' cost at
w"'' price my living amounts to ;^46 sterling but in this county we seldom can
have money or Bills for it.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have a very indifferent Glebe & an old ruinous house not fit for me to
occupy, nor for any man to lease it.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
There is no care taken.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
We have none.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
We have but 1 5 books which we keep in good condition.
JA. ROBERTSON.
1724.] 222
ST PAUL'S IN KENT COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
13 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
No other.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are?
By the Bishop of London.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
13 years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Always resident.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
24 miles in length & some places 10 in breadth.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
Several negroes, some whereof belong to papists & Quakers & others, by
not understanding our Language can receive no benefit by our Instruction.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday & the most noted holidays ; on Sunday there is commonly
a large Congregation.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
4 times a year and about 100 Communicants,
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Most frequently in the summer.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
They are tollerable considering the infancy of the Church.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
The value is uncertain by reason we are paid in Tobacco & allowed 40
pound thereof for all white men & negroes.
223 [1724-
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
There is a Glebe but no house ; part of the Land serves for pasture.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
My dwelling house is kept in repair at my own charge.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
Only one.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
We are about having one public school in each County.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
There are 28 Books (most of them small) belonging to the Parish & safe
in my custody, & have good rules & orders for keeping Libraries in good
condition provided we had them to take care of.
July 13, 1724. ALEXIA WILLIAMSON.
ST PETER'S PARISH, TALBOTT COUNTY.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
I came into this Parish 12 years next Nov^
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
I had an Induction then to Westminster Parish in Ann Arundel County
from whence I was removed to this parish I now possess in the year 1714 in
May.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was Licenced by the then Henry Bishop of London.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
I was Inducted in this Parish 10 years last May.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
1724.] 224
I am a constant resident in my Parish.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
My parish is 29 miles long & 14 miles broad ; there are 344 families in it.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
There are several negroes in my parish but no Indians, some whereof are
capable of Instruction, some are not.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Sundays & holidays; on the Lord's day I have a large Congregation, on
holidays very small.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
I administer the sacram' of the Lord's supper on the 3 great festivals of
the year & besides once a month ; I have always pretty many.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
In Winter I catechise on the holidays, in summer on Sundays.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
We want a set of plate for the Communion, having only a pewter one.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
Our revenue arises in Tobacco the value of which is very uncertain ; some-
times they allow at a penny a pound, sometimes less ; when it is worth a penny
a pound my living is worth ^100 per ann.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year ? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have a Glebe & a dwelling house upon it & I occupy it myself
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
I was at the charge to build & keep the buildings in repair at my own
charges, which has & is chargeable to me.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
I have but one cure.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
225 [1724-
There is a publick school lately endowed but no master pitched upon yet,
there being no land yet purchased for him.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
There is no parochial Library in this Parish, w'^'' is a great detrim' to me.
DANIEL MAYNADIER,
Rector of S' Peter's parish in Talbott County, Maryland.
SHREWSBURY PARISH, IN KENT COUNTY, PROVINCE OF MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
This very day & hour 27 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to |that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
Removed from S* Stephen's in Cecill County the 1 7"" Dec'' last.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
Yes, in 1697.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
On the i^' day of Aug* last.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been Inducted ?
Constantly.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
About 24 miles long and in some places 12 broad; the exact number not
yet known till the boundaries are better settled.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
No Indians but many Negro slaves, several baptized, 10 but on Sunday
last, most children as they now grow up.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Constantly & in good weather 3 or 400 attend.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
1724.] 226
4 times a year & near 100 Communicants.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Continually in private Houses & schools ; I had between 6 & 7 hundred
in my other Parish & have about 100 ready in this, w'^'' when qualified appear
at the parish Church.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Tolerably,
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
This depends entirely upon trade w'^'' is very precarious ; in the smaller
rivers it may be 30 or ;^6o.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself ?
No house, a small Glebe but yet forest.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
None.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
4 or 5 small ones just begun, about 60 children at them ; an act is lately
made for one public one in each County.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
None located here.
RICH° SEWELL,
I "' June, 1724. Rector Shrewsbury.
ST MICHAEL'S PARISH, TALBOTT COUNTY, MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
20 years.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed ?
The cause of my coming a Missionary into these parts was to fulfill a con-
dition on a Fellowship founded by Sir Leolin Jenkins in Jes. Col. oxon. I was
227 [1724-
first sent into Pensylvania by Bishop Compton & by his permission removed
here & legally inducted into this living according to the laws of this Province
by the then president Coll. Edw. Lloyd. My Induction is regularly entered
in our Parish Register.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I am & have my License by me.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living?
Sixteen years.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been In-
ducted ?
Constantly.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it ?
My parish (as other parishes mostly are) is of a great length, 30 miles
long, & may contain 300 families.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish ; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
^ ■ What Infidels there, are negro slaves, & what means are used for their
c<>nversion, your Lordship knows by our general letter; however I have bap-
tized several, & of quaker families a great many.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Every Sunday alternately in my parish Church & chapel, every holi-
day in the year, & every Friday during the holy season of Lent. In the
parish Church there are ordinarily 3 or 400, in the chapel 150 or 200 ordi-
narily.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
Our order in celebrating the Lord's supper is this : Besides every great
festival, it is administered every 3'^'' Sunday in the parish church & every 3'''*
in the chapel, that is once in 3 weeks in one or the other.. The number of
Communicants in the parish Church is from 60 to 80 Communicants ; in the
chapel from 20 to 30.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
Every holiday beginning generally on Easter Tuesday, & by Allhallow
I'ide I go thro' the whole Catechism. I read the Homilies on all other days.
1724.] 228
because in the winter time children cannot be brought to Church by reason of
the distance of the way & severity of the weather.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
Considering the circumstances of the parishioners things are pretty well.
Our parish church has cost at several times more than ;^5oo. The Jersey
Plate at the Com. Table cost £2,0. Our Pulpit & Com. Table . . . are de-
cently adorned with blue cloth & good Linen, We have a new chapel in
building, on w""" there is already laid out above ;^200 & there are workmen
now upon it to finish it.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it arise ?
The value of my living is variable ; if Tobacco bears a good price it may
be worth more than ;^ioo per ann. ; if it be low not near so much.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year. Or is it occupied by yourself?
Having more to write upon this & the ensuing Query than can be com-
prized in these vacant spaces I beg leave to refer your Lordship to a paper
annexed. JW
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair ? And at whose
expense is it done ?
***** *
Have you more Cures than one? If you have, what are they? And in
what manner served ?
I have but this one only.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
There is no public school in my parish but our Governm' has established
a certain sum for erecting one in every county. There is about ^250 in Cash
towards buying Lands and building and there will be about ^20 per ann, for
a master, & we are in hopes will improve into a greater sum every year but
things are in their infancy as yet.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good condition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
There is a small parcel of good books sent here by D^ Bray. The Books
are in good order. There is a Law in the province that requires the vestry
229 [1724-
to examine the parish Libraries, & if I must accuse my vestry of any neglect
I believe they forbear the exercise of their power out of more respect to me
than I deserve.
July 16, 1724. HEN. NICOLS, Rector.
DORCHESTER PARISH, DORCHESTER COUNTY, IN MARYLAND.
How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a Missionary ?
I was sent over as a missionary about 1 2 years ago.
Have you had any other Church, before you came to that which you
now possess ; and if you had, what Church was it, and how long have you
been removed?
I have had no other Church before I came to that which I now possess &
still continue in it.
Have you been duly Licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a
Missionary, in the Government where you now are ?
I was duly Licensed by Henry, the then Lord Bishop of London.
How long have you been Inducted into your Living ?
This ans"^ ut supra.
Are you ordinarily resident in the Parish to which you have been In-
ducted ?
I have been a resident in the parish about 1 2 years.
Of what extent is your Parish, and how many Families are there in it?
The extent of my Parish is near 50 miles in length. The number of fam-
ilies I can nowise account for, but the Estimate thereof may be made by the
List of Taxables w°''"is about 400.
Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your Parish; and what means
are used for their conversion ?
Negroes & Molattoes many of them are baptized & several others stand
candidates for Baptism every day. I have a few Indians in my Parish that
live under the Government of their own petty Princes, of whose conversion
as yet no public means hath been used but Provisions are resolved upon.
How oft is Divine Service performed in your Church ? And what propor-
tion of the Parishioners attend it ?
Divine service is performed in my parish Church 2 Sundays in the month,
sometimes 3 Sundays, as it falls out, and at my Chapel of Ease 2 Sundays in
1724.] 230
the month. I have several Islands in my parish, that the parishioners residing
thereon can not so often tend the Church as they perhaps would do. There-
fore I appoint certain week days to perform divine service on each Island and
administer Baptism & catechise their children. My congregation in the church
some times is about 100, in the Chapel about 200, & on the Islands the people
resort so that they are sometimes 100.
How oft is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ? And what
is the usual number of Communicants ?
For want of a competent number of Communicants & necessaries for the
decent administration of the Lord's supper, the same is not frequently admin-
istered as I could wish, but not less than 3 or 4 times in the year.
At what times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish ?
The youth are catechised in all the aforesaid places about 5 or six times in
the summer season where there are but few youths that are capable but what
attend the same.
Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent
and orderly performance of Divine Service ?
With great regret of mind I declare that as yet my parishioners have not
been prevailed with to provide the necessaries for the decent performance of
Divine service, having neither surplice, pulpit Cloth nor Linen, or vessel for
the communion Table, nor any prospect of any as I can perceive by the incli-
nation of my Parishioners to provide such.
Of what value is your Living in sterling money, and how does it
arise ?
For the yearly value of my living it is about ^35 sterling, which is a small
salary for the trouble and pains I take in my parish. It is collected in the levy
on each taxable 40 lbs. Tobacco 'p poll & is collected by the sheriff.
Have you a House and Glebe ? Is your Glebe in Lease, or Let by the
Year? Or is it occupied by yourself?
I have had no house or Glebe since I have been in the parish nor any pro-
vision made for any.
Is due care taken to preserve your House in good repair? And at whose
expense is it done ?
Ut supra.
Have you more Cures than one ? If you have, what are they ? And in
what manner served ?
231 [1724.
I have but i Cure since I have been in the parish, & for the manner of its
being served I have (with modesty speaking) served it duly.
Have you in your Parish any public School for the instruction of Youth ?
If you have, is it endowed ? And who is the Master ?
I have no public school in the parish for the Instruction of youth at pres-
ent, nor any prospect of there being one.
Have you a Parochial Library ? If you have, are the Books preserved,
and kept in good cpndition ? Have you any particular rules and orders for
the preserving of them ? Are those rules and orders duly observed ?
I have no parochial Library, w"** hath been & still is a great discourage-
ment & detriment to myself & several others of my well disposed people who
are addicted to reading.
THO^ THOMSON, Rector.
^JJERIES to be answered by the Per,sons who were Commis-
saries to my Predecessor.
What public Acts of Assembly have been made and confirmed relating to
the Church or Clergy within that Government ?
Several, viz.. An Act for the establishment of religious worship, An Act
for the disposal of.the Churches' Revenues in the time of vacancy. Act for the
publication of Marriages and for the ascertaining the fee& thereof, a copy of
which M''. Henderson has sent to your Lordship.
How oft hath it been usual to hold a visitation of the clergy ? How oft
have you called a convention of them, and what has been the business ordina-
rily done and the method of proceeding in such Meetings ?
Once in three years I visited the several Churches, Schools & Glebes.
Once in the year the Clergy and Church wardens met, at which time they
gave Presentments, and about 6 months after I went to the several Parishes
of the persons presented ; having first sent a citation for their appearance and
a libel of their crimes annexed to it.
1724.] 232
Does any Clergyman officiate who has not the Bishop's License for that
Government ?
Very few but who have the Bishop of London's Licence for some neigh-
bouring Province.
What Parishes are there which have yet no Churches nor Ministers ?
None but what have Churches, and one only at present without a Minister,
which is of small value and in a wet and low part of the Country (viz.) in
Somerset County.
How is the Revenue of the Churches applied which arises during the va-
cancies ?
Generally for the building or repairing of the Church & Chapels and some
times towards the buying of a Glebe & building a house on it.
What are the ordinary prices of the necessaries of life there ?
The ordinary prices of the necessaries of Life such as meat and drink are
reasonable. Beef from ij4 to ^.d 3. pound. Pork from 2d to 6d a pound, but
we usually raise these ourselves for we have no markets. Our apparel is
dear, never less than double the price of what it costs in England, but often
more, as is also furniture for our houses.
Can you suggest anything that may be serviceable to Religion and con-
duce to the ease of the Clergy and their more comfortable subsistance, which
you believe to be fairly practicable ; and which will no way interfere with the
authority of the Governor nor be judged an infringement of the rights of the
people ?
That Glebes and houses on them be provided. That Mulato's (once the
right of the Church) be restored for Servants to manage the Glebe. That
hogsheads of Tobacco better qualified be of Eight hundred weight, and that
his Majesty would be pleased to allow us to every Parish a Tun or two of
Tobacco custom free.
These do not interfere with the Government's authority nor is the least
infringement of the people's rights ; and so these that your Lordship would
be pleased to permit a Bishop to come over among us for the better Govern-
ment of the Church and Clergy and regulation of our Ecclesiastical affairs.
By these religion would be promoted. The Parishes be made less. The Minis-
ter better able to discharge his duty, and the people have the opportunity of
attending the Churches every Lord's day.
233 [i724-
An Extract of a Letter from M\ GILES RAINSFORD,
dated from Maryland^ April lo''^, 1724.
* * * I heartily beg for Bp: Patrick's Volumes as far as he goes
on the Old Testament, with Whitby's 2 Vol: on the New ; & Bp. Burnet's
Pastoral Ease, but I dare presume no further, nor prescribe to a judgment so
vastly superior to my own. I desired our late Commissary to convene the
clergy of this shoar in order to address the present Bishop on his promotion
to the see of London, who was very willing & desirous to do it, but told me
he had no power lodged in him for that undertaking. They all know who
their Bishop is, & if they forget the oath of Canonical obedience it is no fault
of mine. M". Henderson, the Gentleman I mention, is truly exemplary in
Piety, & one of a strict & sober life, & in my opinion highly deserving of his
Lordship's favour in any instance whatever. There is no one Clergyman in
the whole province has an estate to support the dignity of his Lordship's
Commissary to himself, but it must be left to his Lordship to determine in
this affair as he pleases, I am sorry to acquaint you, that we have among us
men of our Robe of most lewd & profligate lives, men that have been pre-
sented & fined for drunkeness & swearing, & are carrying on the interest of
the Devil & his Dominion with all their might, among the number of which
was M''. James Williamson, Rector of All Saints', & M''. John Donaldson,
rector of William & Mary Parish, the former of which his own Parishioners
design to petition against to my Lord of London. I have a large field of
discourse open before me on this melancholy subject, but must beg of you to
conceal what I offer from the Bp. of London till you hear again from me
which shall be some time this summer. M''. Barret's behaviour during his
continuance on board Cap' Wilkinson has been the occasion of the Bp. of
London's being hugely reflected on. The Cap' reports that he was continu-
ally drunk with the Foremast men, that he went on shore at Portsmouth,
raked it in the Gown, came aboard drunk, & challenged the Cap' to fight him,
upon which he sent him ashore & dismissed him from the ship ; what's become
of him I presume you know by this time, but the Inhabitants have returned
the Cap' thanks, & after an impious manner curs'd & damned the worthy
30
1724.] 234
Bishop for designing such a person for 'em. I can assure you several Weak
men were turning papists on that & other occasions, & altho' M^ Cox is a
man of a sober life & conversation, & they have it not in their power to object
ag^' his morals, yet they do ag^' his Country, as being Irish. We have Popish
Priests daily flocking in amongst us, & the whole province smells of Popish
superstitions, &". I wish these Caterpillars were destroyed ; they poison apace
our young Plants that are growing up. * * *
The Clergy of the Western Shore to the Lord Bishop of
London.
Annapolis, May 29* 1724.
May it please your Lordship,
We, the Clergy of the Western Shore of the Province of Maryland, con-
vened by his Excellency our Gov'' to propose any particulars to him wherein
he might be servicable to the church or Clergy, & to consult the best manner
of giving your Lordship the clearest light into the affairs of the church here,
do with great joy & sincerity congratulate your Lordship on your accession to
the see of London. That as our obedience is there fixt, so it affords us matter
of great consolation, & is a happy presage of the future prosperity of our
church, that your Lordship has begun in so wise and prudent a manner to
pursue the good ends & purposes of your jurisdiction, & we question not by
your powerful Influences all uncertainties & obstacles in the way of it will in
a short time be explained & removed, to the great benefit of the church of
God among us. We shall honestly & faithfully make answer respectfully to
the Queries in your Lordship's circular letter to be transmitted herewith, and
as we have endeavoured hitherto, so we are resolved more strictly, both by
our Labours & examples, in conformity to your Lordship's pious admonitions
expressed in your Lordship's letter, to prosecute most vigorously the true ends
of our Function, & the greatest assistance or encouragem' that we can ask or
your Lordship vouchsafe us, is that as you have so happily engaged in this
235 [1724.
good work unparallel'd by your predecessors, so that you would continue to
perfect it, which in the strongest confidence we humbly implore your Lordship
to do. We are all (blessed be God) zealously affected to his majesty King
George & the Succession by Law established in his most illustrious house.
^e have the full enjoyment of our rights & privileges under the Governm' of
the R' Hon. the Lord Proprietary, & we have been distinguished by particular
favours from his Excell'' the present Gov'. His administration is equal &
just, & our obedience unfeigned & real, so that there is an intercourse of
protection & favour & of duty & submission ; such is our happiness at
present. After having said so much, we think we have no more to do but to
refer your Lordship to the Gent" who was your Predecessor's commissary for
any particulars that may be further serviceable to religion. We beg your
Lordship's prayers, & are, may it please your Lordship, yours, &^, &"., &".,
James Williamson,
Rector of All Saints' Parish, in Calvert County.
James Cox,
Rector of Westminster Parish.
Jacob Henderson,
Rector of S' Barnabas.
John Ffraser,
Rector of King George's parish in Prince George's County.
Johnathan Cay,
Rector of Christ Church.
Giles Rainsford,
Rector of S' Paul's.
WiL. Maconchie,
Rector of Portobacco & Durham, in Charles Ct''.
John Donaldson,
Rector of King & Queen Parish, in S' Mary's & Charles CV".
Will" Tibbs,
Rector of S' Paul's Parish, Baltemore County.
1724.] 236
Af. URMSTON to the Secretary.
Cecil County in Maryland, June Ult. 1724.
Rev" Sir>
You may remember that I once had a mind to have gone with the D. of
Portland ; you were pleased to offer me that letter to a French Marquis who
went with his grace. I thought my L"* D. of Kingston, who married the other's
sister, might be more effectual. He spake to his brother, & his answer was
that he should take no more into his family, & yet soon after entertained
Charles Lamb, This was one of the many disappointments I met with whilst
in EngP last. I was rude in not acquainting you with my departure, but
believe you will be so good as to pardon that & many other libertys, particu-
larly this long scrowl, w''^ with humble resp*^, will give you a further account of
my unfortunate circumstances, w*^"* I the rather communicate to you, knowing
you to be no half Whig, half papist, as too many of the clergys now a days
are.
You're to be acquainted that I went from London to New England, where
I had some hopes of staying, but was prevented by the New Converts, one
whereof had the offer if he would go to England & be ordained, & forthwith
did, & is now min'' of the New Episcopal church in Boston, the only man that
could have been thought of. He'll do more good there than any other. I left
the place very contentedly, & went from New York, where I narrowly missed
of being chaplain to the Fort & assistant to M^ Vesey. Hearing that the
Incumbent of Philadelphia was gone to England for his health, & left the^lace
ill supplyed, I hastened thither, was gladly rec"^ of the people. About 6
months after we had the news of the death of the Incumbent aforesaid. I
had written to my correspondent to get some friend to interceed with my then
L'' of London to appoint me minister there. I never doubted of my friend's
diligence nor his Lordship's favour, but my letters from England must certainly
be intercepted. M'', Talbot, the famous Rector of Burlington in the Jerseys
supplanted me here. Gov"^ Burnet hath been long displeased with him, by
reason he is a notorious Jacobite, & will not pray for the King & Royal
Family by name, only says the King & Prince, by w'='' 'tis obvious whom he
means. He hath often endeavoured to persuade me to do so too (little less
237 [1724.
than treason, I think, to go about to pervert the King's subjects from their
duty & allegiance to his Majesty). He hath poisoned all the neighbouring
clergy with his rebellious principles ; they dare not pray otherwise than he
does when he is present. He caused many of my hearers to leave the church.
At last he gained his point, was accepted, & I kicked out very dirtily by the
Vestry, who pretend that the Bishop of London is not Diocesan, nor hath
any thing to do there more than another Bishop, so that any one that is law-
fully ordained & Licenced by any Bishop, it matters not who, the Bishop of
Rome, I suppose, Talbot & a many more will say, or any other, is capable of
taking upon him any cure in America. I was not sorry for my removal from
so precarious & slavish a place, where they require 2 sermons every Lord's
day. Prayers all the week, & Homilies on Festivals, besides abundance of
Funerals, Christnings at home, & sick to be visited ; no settled salary, the
church wardens go from house to house every 6 months, every one gives
what he pleases, some times liberally, & on the least pretence or dislike, or it
may be the persuasion of the church wardens & their adherents, they'l give
nothing ; & so they forced that worthy gent" D^ Evans & many others to leave
the places. They love new faces. I was told that they had had 1 1 Min" with-
in the space of 9 years. Ab' 3 months after Talbot was gotten into his king-
dom, some had the courage to go to S' W"" Keith, who otherwise was well
enough pleased with Talbot, & to tell his Excell^ that it was a shame such a
fellow should be allowed to officiate in the church, & that if his Exc'' suffered
him they would write to England against them both, where upon Talbot was
sent away, & the place hath been vacant these 4 months. What is become of
this great apostle I know not. Certainly Gov"^ Burnet will not suffer him to
return to Burlington. Some of his confed'^ have discovered that he is in [illeg-
ible] Orders, as many more rebels are. I have heard of no ordinations he has
made as yet, but doubtless he'll persuade all the Clergy who are his creatures
to be ordained again by him. To this end he came fraught from England
with some of the most virulent & scandalous pamphlets he could pick up, that
one I met with by chance whose title was the case truly stated, proving that all
ordained by Bishops consecrated since or such as conformed & approved of
the revolution are imposters, & the divine service is only to be performed by
those who have been re-ordained by non-jurors, & that there are enough of
them all over England to serve the church Proli mores atque hominum fidem !
As oldest Missionary he rec** the 3 years' interest of the ^2,000, the late
1724.] 238
Archbishop of Canterbury his Legacy towards the support of a Bp, in the
plantations, & is entitled to the same, till a Bp. be appointed. My L^ Chan-
cellor did not know the man, or certainly he would never have admitted him
to so great a favour. I went by land from Philadelphia to North Carolina, in
order to take a view of Maryland & Virginia, & to sell my Plantation stock
& goods. That done, I returned to Maryland, & am settled in Cecil County,
a very promiseing thriving place ; the income is between 33 & 34,000, which
will be considerable when Tobacco bears a price.
I am. Rev** Sir,
Your most obed',
JNo URMSTON.
♦
The Clergv of the Eastern Shore of Maryland to the Lord
Bishop of London.
July I6'^ 1724.
May it please your Lordship,
We, the Clergy of that part of the province of Maryland that is situate on
the Eastern Shore, being here at this time convened, on the occasion of a
letter we have rec^ from your Lordship by the hands of the Rev. M''. Wilkin-
son, take this opportunity to assure you that it is with due thankfulness we
accept so great a favour, & unfeignedly congratulate your promotion to the
see of London. Your Lordship's publick character & his Majesty's wisdom
gives us no room to doubt of your zeal for Piety & religion, & for the main-
tenance of order & regularity in the church.
Such an opportunity as this with which you have so graciously presented
our Petitions, we have of a long time heartily wished for, that our diocesan
might be able to form a right judgment of the state of our churches.
The Grace of God (blessed be his holy name for it) doth so rule in our
hearts that we have both our ordination vows & the end of our mission deeply
imprinted in our minds. We are very sensible of the state of our churches,
& what greater degree of diligence lies upon our heads to build our people
up in Faith & practice, & how we exert ourselves we hope our faithful answer
to your Lordship's enemys will give you full satisfaction.
We can truly say that we have no occasion to lament any thing so much
239 [1724-
as the wan-t of a regular spiritual discipline among us, to be a constant restraint
upon persons of loose principles & corrupt lives ; not that we have any reason
to complain as if we were pestered with more of that sort of people, but pos-
sibly many fewer, yet where there are fewest there are too many. Nothing
human can induce to make our religion more flourishing than this. There
was a laudable attempt made to effect this in this province a few years ago,
by the encouragem' & earnest endeavours of our Gov"^ at that time, but it would
not take ; the reasons pretended were the apprehensions of a popish inquisi-
tion, or some such [illegible] & ignorant excuse, whereas it was not thought
convenient to express their real sentiments. Nothing certainly can be done
more worthy your Lordship's wisdom & Piety & the benefit of his sacred
majesty's favour, that the Establishing the-episcopal authority here is not to its
just extent, yet in some due measure.
To have any share in the administration of that authority is the furthest
thing in the world from the expectation or desire of any one among us. We
rather wish & believe it more expedient some other person might be sent in,
with an hon"® support, who will not fail of finding an easy work in his gov' of
us. Much less do we desire to have any concern in civil affairs ; our little
ambition of worldly respect & caution ag^' giving any offence are a sure defence
against all faults of that kind.
But notwithstanding, we are left almost naked of all assistance from the
spiritual powers. Nothing shall be wanting that we can do to deserve the
assistance of the temporal. We constantly pray for the life, health & wealth
of King George, with honest hearts & not with our mouths only, & from well
digested reflections upon the causes of the revolution form our judgments that
our church & religion were thereby saved from impending destruction, & that
the preservation of the Crown in the Protestant line is our only security from
Popery, so that it is with all thankfulness to God & sincerity of hearts that we
pray for our Sovereign & all his Royal Family, & shall study to influence as
many as we can with these Loyal Principles ; & with the same sincerity we
honour our L*^ Proprietary & our present Gov"", who highly deserves our best
respects & hearty obedience, for we have experienced nothing but benignity,
condescention & goodness from them both ever since it hath pleased the Royal
power to restore the gov""' into the Lord Baltemore's hands, & unless it shall
appear otherwise to that consummate wisdom, we, for our Parts, wish with all
our hearts it may continue there.
1724.] 240
We think ourselves highly concerned to return your Lordship an upright
answer to your pious admonition concerning the exemplariness of our conver-
sation, which we would to God we could say was absolutely inoffensive, but
wherein soever we have offended we humbly beg pardon of God & his church,
& do promise both to have our conversation honest in the sight of Aliens &
the Enemies of our church.
Having said so much of ourselves, we must next pray your Lordship to call
upon the secular part of this branch of your diocese that they would likewise
come in to our aid, that they would not be wanting to the filling of the Chris-
tian church with more members, by consenting that care should be taken about
their slaves, for the saving of their souls, & their own discharge of their indis-
putable duty ; or rather that they would be willing to instruct them themselves
or cause them to be instructed in Christian knowledge, & to give all the
encouragement they can to the few Indians that live near to us, which indeed
are very few, in most parishes none at all, to hearken to our offers about their
conversion to Christianity.
As for our Parishes, most of us can say we have very few dissenters, & that
our churches are well filled, & that a manifest reformation is wrought in the
whole course of the lives of the Inhabitants of this country within these 20
or 30 years past, conspicuous as the sun at noon day, & is freely owned by all
that have lived any time here. Some things we may chance, by your Lord-
ship's permission, to lay before you in due time ; but we are very loath to be
too troublesome to your Lordship at one & that the first time. And as for
any more particulars relating to our churches & parishes, we shall entirely
refer your Lordship to our several answers to your queries, & for the truth &
veracity of what we write appeal, according to your command, to that rev"^ &
worthy gent" who was commissary to your Lordship's predecessor, only entreat-
ing your Lordship that unless you see cause to send some other proper person
to have inspection of the churches here, you would please to appoint the
same worthy gent" again, there being none among us that are near so well
qualified for that trust as he is.
And considering the manifest danger, charges, troubles, & manifold incon-
veniences that must attend our passing and repassing the great Bay, we ear-
nestly petition that we may have the privilege of one particularly on this side
there being no fewer than 14 parishes here.
That God, by whose providence & the great favour of his sacred majesty
241 [1724.
you have arrived to this great dignity in the English church, would continue
you a blessing to these remote churches who are members of the same, are
the daily prayers of your Lordship's most obedient & dutifull sons & ser-
vants,
Tho : Howell, Rector of Great Choptonck in Dorchester
County.
Hen : Nichols, Rector of S'. Michael's, Talbot Co.
Alex"* Williamson, rector of S'. Paul's in Kent County.
Richard Sewell, Rector of Shrewsbury in Kent County.
Alexander Adams, rector of Stepney in Somerset County.
James Robertson, rector of Coventry in Somerset County.
Thomas Thomson, rector of Dorchester parish in Dor-
chester County.
Daniell Maynadier, Rector of S'. Peter's Parish.
Rev. M\ RAINSFORD to the Secretary.
Patuxen River, Maryland, Aug' I6'^ 1724.
Rev° Sir,
The ships are all sailed out of our River, this one only excepted, & she
lies so low down that I was obliged to ride 50 miles to send this by her. I no
way doubt of your receiving what you were pleased to lend me when I was
pinch'd. I find by M"". Henderson that the Clergy's address is not as yet gone
home, but will certainly by this opportunity, as he tells me. I writ you two
letters by two several ships, & in them I mentioned something of the scandal-
ous behaviour of some of our rascally clergy. M''. Williamson is grown noto-
rious & consummate in villainy. He is really an original for drinking &
swearing. His own parishioners design to petition rny Lord of London on the
occasion, & a presbyterian minister is now gathering a congregation out of the
disaffected part of his flock. M^ Donaldson is so vile that the other day, being
sent for to a dying person, came drunk, & the poor dying soul, seeing his
1724.] 242
hopeful parson in that condition, refused the Sacrament at his hands, & died
without it. He's notorious for lying & sins of the first magnitude. His own
people can best describe him. M"'. Mackonchie is a mere nuisance, & makes
the church stink. He fights and drinks on all occasions, &, as I am told,
alienas permolet uxores. I have no time to enlarge; one thing occurs that is
truly remarkable. The Papists (in which this province abounds) are petition-
ing the assembly to make negro women no taxables, whereby the salary of
the clergy will be reduced to scarce a subsistance if it takes, but 'tis thought
it will not; however, the papists show their teeth & would bite if they durst.
They are truly intolerably ignorant even beyond description. I fear they
have encouragem', & are upheld here & elsewhere. But I dare not write my
mind for reasons I'll assign hereafter. You must think Sir I take no pleasure
in raking into the filth of the clergy's lives, if there were but a bare probability
of these men's leaving their ill courses, but since there remains no hopes of it,
I think a check would be very seasonable without discovering the informer.
This gent" Maconchie is for bringing In the rebel I told you formerly of into
Maryland out of Virginia; but I affirmed positively I would acquaint the
Bishop of London with the whole matter if he did. It is a shame for Com-
missary Blair of Virginia to suffer him there. I shall say no more now, but
expect to hear from you by the first shipping with the books I writ for. I
have not half writ what I design for haste. I am, D' Doctor, your most
obed' humble servant,
GILES RAINSFORD.
M\ HENDERSON to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, Aug' I6'^ 1724.
Right Rev" Father in God,
Upon receipt of your letter of the 30"' of Nov' last, I dispatched the
circular letters & queries to the several clergymen on this shore, & have now
got all their returns, w"^'' herewith I transmit to your Lordship, save that of
the rev*^ M''. Joseph Colebatch, which I shall send by the first opportunity
after it comes to hand.
243 [i724-
I have, besides these & an answer to the Queries particularly directed to
myself, sent copys of such of our acts of assembly as relate to our church,
clergy & schools, with a copy also of the Lord Proprietaries charter, thinking
they may be of use towards giving your Lordship the clearer insight into the
constitution of their Province.
By the above your Lordship will have as full an account of our affairs as I
am capable to give you, but there is one thing I cannot forbear acquainting
your Lordship with, & that is the miserable state of our church in Pensilvania ;
the nonjuring schism has reached thither.
M"^. Talbot, minister of Burlington, returned from England about 2 years
ago in Episcopal orders, though his orders till now of late have been kept up
as a great secret, & D^ Welton is arrived there about 6 weeks ago, as I'm
credibly informed, in the same capacity, & the people of Philadelphia are so
fond of him that they will have him right or wrong for their minister.
I am much afraid these gent° will poison that people of that province, I
cannot see what can prevent it but the speedy arrival of a Bishop there, one of
the same order to confront them, for the people will rather take confirmation
from them than have none at all, & by that means they'l hook them into the
schism.
I am well assured they'l get no footing in this province, for I dare say his
majesty King George has not subjects any where in his dominions more zeal-
ously attached to him than the clergy & Protestant laity here are.
I question not but your Lordship in your great wisdom will find out some
expedient to prevent the ruin that threatens the church in that province. I
ijeed say no more, but to beg your Lordship's prayers for.
May it please your Lordship,
Your most dutiful son &
most obed' humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
1724.] 244
W. WILKINSON to the Bishop of London,
S"'. Paul's, in Queen Ann's County, Maryland,
Sep' 9'^ 1724.
May it please your Lordship,
I received your Lordship's letters, which I transmitted to my brethren, &
therewith return the answers I have rec"* from them, & the late Bishop of
London's letters to me, with the gov" speech.
The exercise of the Episcopal Jurisdiction which your predecessor was
pleased to commit to me being of great moment & new in those parts, I
easily foresaw would be attended with some difficulties in the management of
it, & that an error in our first steps would prove fatal to its future success, to
prevent which as much as I could I convened the clergy & consulted with 'em
w' would be the most proper method of proceeding in that affair. We agreed
upon certain articles, which I laid before the Governm', & which I communi-
cated to your Lordship's predecessor, who approved of them. I delivered the
said articles to the clergy, & withall advised 'em to present none but such as
were notoriously guilty, & privately with their church wardens & vestry men
to admonish others. The first step I took after that was a personal visitation
of the several parish churches & the few glebes & houses there are, advising
'em to repair what was amiss ; at the same time I delivered citations to the
church wardens to appear at the general convention, & licensed such school-
masters as I found qualified to teach, enjoining them to be strict in catechising.
The clergy. & church wardens appeared at the time prefixed, brought in their
presentm'^ upon which I proceeded after the same manner used in the spirit-
ual courts in England, as near as the circumstances of this country will permit.
I did everything gratis of myself, without either Proctor or Register, &
always went to the parish where the person presented dwelt, that I might
take off all appearances of not appearing for want of money to defray their
travelling charges. It has been owned by many that there was a visibte
reformation on our shore, the sight of one person performing penance struck
a greater terror upon all offenders than all the pecuniary and corporial
punishments which the secular courts inflict, as some of 'em have publickly
acknowledged.
245 [1724.
The greatest difficulties I have is to answer your Lordship's last query,
how to ease the clergy & benefit religion. My answer (to which) I think
neither touches the Gov" authority nor any rights of the people. If Glebes &
houses were provided as they were at first ordered, then the minister & his
family would have a settlem' at their first coming over, for want of which they
are exposed to great inconveniences & charges, & if the Mulato's which were
once the right of the church were restored, the Min' would have no occasion
to buy servants for the managem' of his house & land ; & supposing a stock
of cattle & other things necessary for his subsistence were kept on the glebe,
he might have at all times sufficient provision for himself & family which are
not to be had on this shore, but only in a winter season. And if the tobacco
which is paid us was better qualified (for we are generally paid in the worst),
& the hogsheads 800 lbs. weight ; this would lessen the greater charge we are
at in collecting & fitting it for a market. And then we might have more
parishes & ministers w"" a competent maintainance, especially if his majesty
would grant us the privilege of sending a tun or two of tobacco free of the
customary dues paid to him & his officers. _ By this means we might supply
ourselves w*'' books & other necessaries which are not to b'e had here but at
a very dear rate, for want of which we are forced to struggle with many
difficulties on this shore, where tobacco is not so valuable as it is over the
bay.
We have lately rec"^ letters in this province which inform us that your
Lordship condescends to have Bishops in America, & that the Society have
resolved to send two, the one into the western Islands & the other into
Virginia. In my opinion Maryland would be more convenient, being nearest
the centre, having Virginia & Carolina on the one side, & Pensilvania, New
York, & New England on the other. And that he may have a convenient
residence, M^ Henderson is willing to dispose of a tract of land of 2000
acres, with a very good dwelHng house & other smaller houses, a good
orchard & garden, & above 30 slaves, stocked with cattle, hogs, horses &
sheep, which with good management will be sufficient for the maintenance of
his family. It lieth in the freshes of Patuxent river, about 20 miles from
Annapolis, in a pleasant and healthy part of the Country ; the land is rich &
high, has good pasturage meadows & arable lands, well furnished with wood
for timbers & fuel, all which he is willing to dispose of for ^4000, which, con-
sidering the very good buildings, the great quantity of cleared ground well
1724.] 246
fenced in & its other appendages, is not dear ; he would not part with it I
believe on any ace' but for the encouragem' of a Bishop, who at his first com-
ing over may find almost all the necessarys of Hfe. If your Lordship & the
Society do approve of this proposal, upon your treating with him very
probably he may be induced to abate something of what he now offers it for.
I beg your Lordship's blessing & prayers, & am, may it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most dutiful, &^, &■=.,
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
M". WILKINSON to the Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, Chester River, in Queen Ann's County,
Nov"' 2o'^ 1724.
May it please your Lordship,
The reports of some attempts to break in upon the fundamental! law of
our established religion & maintenance at our approaching assembly moved
the clergy of our shore to send me to Annapolis, to observe and obviate, as I
saw occasion, all such attempts. I had not been long there before I under-
stood that several projects were privately concerted ; but the better to effect
their design, they resolved to begin with complaints of the clergy's gross
neglects & immoralitys, & upon those complaints to bring in a bill to appoint
some lay persons to direct and inspect the conduct of the clergy in the dis-
charge of their ministerial function, intending thereby to prevent the Romish
Priests seducing the weals & unwary to their communion. The upper house
not approving their proposal at the breaking up of the sessions, they sent
from the Lx>wer House this threatening message, that they would let the
clergy know that their Law of religion was not like that of the Medes &
Persians. I have herewith sent your Lordship a transcript of our representa-
tion presented to both houses, & the reply of the Lower house to it. I could
not obtain so correct a copy of their reply (as I hope M^ Henderson will, who
attended the assembly to the last), for I was called home to visit some sick
persons in my parish, & was myself seized with a feaver & ague, which con-
247 [i724-
tinues with me yet. The faults & follies of some clergymen are too gross to
be excused or extenuated. But there are not above two that I know of on
our shore, who deserve the severe sensure the lower house has given 'em.
For the rest I think they are free from any scandalous crimes, & their dilli-
gence & industry in the discharge of their office is incredible. For should I
tell your Lordship that many of us ride in a rnorning allmost 20 miles, & in
summer time preach in the forenoon at one church & in the afternoon at
another, & others preach every day in the week once in the month thro'out
the whole year, where the parishes are of so large an extent, & the people so
far distant from the church, that otherwise they would not have the opportun-
ity of any instruction in the Christian religion ; these things are true, which
together with the many visits we are obliged to make on visiting & adminis-
tering the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the sick & aged, & private
Baptism to weak & young children, gives us little ease & respite. Yet not-
withstanding we have an absolute necessity of an ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, &
y' some person be sent over either with an episcopal or delegated authority,
to correct the immoralitys of such clergymen as are guilty, & to silence the
clamours of the ill affected, otherwise I fear that some thing may pass in the
next assembly to the prejudice of our church. I am.
May it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most dutiful,
& most obed' Serv',
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
To the Honorable the Governor &* the Upper and Lower
House of Assembly. ^
The humble representation of the Subscribers, such of the clergy as are now in
the city,
Sheweth,
That they are informed that a motion has been made in the honorable the
Lower house to erect a Jurisdiction for the better Government of the Church
1724.] 248
and Clergy, which they take to be a matter of the greatest concern to the
established religion.
They humbly conceive that should such a Jurisdiction be placed in the
hands of Laymen, that it would be inconsistent with the Lord Proprietary's
Charter and with the rules of good reason, repugnant to the laws of the
realm of Great Britain, destructive to the constitution of the Church of
England, & w* they can't in conscience submit to as being altogether op-
posite to the ordination vow, as they are ready to make appear if there-
unto called.
That there is the utmost necessity for the enforcement of the Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction they readily grant, and have not been wanting heretofore to
express their ardent desire for a law to facilitate the execution of it, as the
only proper methody to redress the grievances the Church labours under, and
should the Legislature think it a matter fit for their consideration, the Clergy
would gladly offered them their assistance in conferring upon proper heads
for a Bill to that purpose.
Chris. Wilkinson, Jacob Henderson,
Teter Tustian, James Cox.
Sam'- Skippon,
By the Lower House of Assembly.
May it please your Honours,
Having considered the representation of the Clergy sent us from your
honors ; and that it hath appeared to us that some Clergymen within this
Province have behaved themselves in a manner so inconsistent with their
character, and prejudicial to religion, that instead of being guides to the
people and preventing their being misled by Popish Priests & other enemies
of the Church of England, Their misbehaviour & ill example have been the
most prevailing motives with several weak people to forsake the communion
of the best Church in the world, and with others to look upon all religion as
imposture & cheat, and that the irregularities complained of are presumed to
249 [1725-
be owing in a great measure to the want of some Judicature to correct the
offenders who, as appears by the representation now before us, claim an
exemption from any jurisdiction in the hands of laymen, & that we see no
probabiHty of any jurisdiction being estabhshed which some, to avoid just
punishment, are not wilHng to that they may have the same objection to make
till the establishment of an unexceptionable Judicature. We think it our
indisputable duty to make use of all the means in our power to put some
check to parties so destructive of our Religion, and we do not make the least
doubt of your honors' assistance and concurrence in so necessary a work ; not
but that such of the Clergy as conscientiously discharge their duty (which we
hope are the greater number) will contribute their endeavors to frame such a
law as may punish the misbehaviour of men of their own order whose actions
tend to over throw what, by the most sacred obligation, they ought to support.
M\ CALVERT to Lord Bishop of London.
Annapolis, 22 June, 1725.
My Lord,
I embrace this opportunity by the Rev*^ M^ Henderson, whose affairs call
him for England, to pay my duty to your Lordship, and to acquaint you how
matters with respect to the Church go here.
At our last Sessions of Assembly the Lower house made an Essay towards
erecting a Jurisdiction to correct the immoralities of the Clergy, without any
complaints being made to them from any Parish of the Province, which I
pretty much wondered at as a thing extraordinary and out the way, and would
by no means yield to, because, in the first place, they were under your Lord-
ship's inspection, and, in the next place, there did not appear such necessity
for it as they alleged. In general, the clamour raised was groundless, for, to
the best of my observation, the majority have behaved themselves very well
as good Clergymen and good subjects.
The Bearer has copies of the Messages that passed between the two
houses, and can inform your Lordship more particularly. I heartily recom-
1725.] 250
mend him to your Lordship's favor, as a person that has done good service
here, very careful in his conduct and diligent in the discharge of his Minis-
terial duties. If your Lordship can direct me to anything that may be of
service to Religion, my endeavors shall not be wanting to effect it.
I am, &•=,
CHA. CALVERT.
M\ HUMPHREYS to the Secretary.
Annapolis, July 6'^ 1725.
Sir,
It having pleased God to make a Vacancy in the Church by the death of
the Reverend M'. Samuel Skippon, and the great necessity of my affairs
obliging me to seek a more comfortable subsistence for my Family than the
salary allowed by the Honorable Society afforded me in Chester, I accepted
of an invitation from this parish, into which I have been Inducted by his Excel-
lency Colonel Calvert, Governor of this province. In my last from Chester,
by M'. Richard Marsden, I intimated my design of leaving the Mission' unless
my salary were augmented, but not having great reason to expect that favor
from the Venerable Society, who had before denyed it to myself and other
men of worth engaged in the same service, I embraced this providential oppor-
tunity of delivering myself from a state of Life distressed enough. I am so
much attached to the Venerable Society that it will be a great affliction to me
if I have incurred their displeasure by my removal, but I hope I shall with
much difficulty obtain a pardon for their poor Missionary, who had been 14
Years struggling with poverty and labor. I have eased them of a querulous
mendicant, who was a perpetual trouble to them by his clamorous importuni-
ty's. I cannot sufficiently lament the dismal necessity which constrained me >
to leave an Employ so very honorable, so very suitable to my inclination, and
I am full of grief whilst I reflect on the difficulty's which impeded my longer
stay in a place which nature and great labor and fatigue had rendered very
agreeable to me, but which I could never make my own, notwithstanding I
almost starved myself for 7 years to accomplish it. All this and much more
of the like nature has driven me from the Mission, but nothing shall be ever
251 [1725-
able to destroy the great veneration I have long entertained for the vener-
able Society, whom I earnestly entreat for (Lord Jesus') sake to send a Gent
to succeed me ; my leaving that people will, I verily think, be of service to
religion, for thereby they will be better apprized of the necessity of valueing
and supporting their pastor. I left Chester 3 weeks before my last quarter
was compleated, but I hope the Venerable Society will order the payment of
the Bill. I have drawn for the whole. I pray, however, it may not be sent
back protested, and I will pay the overplus to whomsoever they shall appoint
to receive it. I pray the great God to crown the pious Endeavours of the
venerable Society, &c.
I am, Sir,
Your very humble Serv',
JOHN HUMPHREYS.
Af . RAINSFORD to Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, July 22^, 1725.
My Lord,
I think it my duty to acquaint your Lordship with all proceedings relat-
ing to the church in this Government, and I judge it improper to address a
person in your exalted station with any thing but what may be of moment &
bear the test of a review. I shall lay before your Lordship the main reason
that induced me to give you this trouble. We have in this Province a vast
number of Jesuits, who, by their Sophistrj' and cunning, make Proselytes
daily throughout the whole Government. They are advanced to such heights
of assurance as to send public challenges, and to disperse their Popish Books
thro' all quarters of the Country. The enclosed paper to me is an instance
where I am obliged either to answer or give up the cause. I no way doubt
(when my reply is ready) but I shall be able to check the force and damm up
the current of such proceedings. I need not tell your Lordship that those of
this order are men of subtilty and politics. They are generally very careful to
approve themselves to the world. They suffer nothing unattempted which
may raise their credit in the judgment of the people. This is obvious from
1725.] 252
their deluding the credulous. They take vast pains to ward off any disad-
vantageous measures that may shed disparagment on their Society. In short,
they are so numerous that their name is Legion. They possess the people,
and nothing but a regal power can cast them out. Upon what bottom they
subsist amongst us ; how their privileges are maintained and their encroach-
ments supported, I can but guess at. All I shall observe is this, that in time
it may prove fatal thus to give them liberty to propagate their kind, for every
proselyte they make a subject's lost, & as they encrease, the interest of our
Church and King must proportionably sink. Your Lordship, in your Wisdom,
knows best how to put a stop to the growing evil. The grievance is not
redressed here, & their friends & money are too powerful a spirit (when
raised) for the feeble attacks of a contemptible adversary to lay again. Now
I think 'tis every man's business to discourage superstition, to stop the
progress of idolatry, and help those to right that suffer wrong. He that seek
an infection spread, and won't be quick with his antidote, is guilty as far as
the morality reaches. This single consideration worked me up to this height
of presumption in writing to you, and tho' the freedom be some what singular,
I hope it may be pardoned, since taken in defence of truth and on the score
of religion. When the wolf approaches the fold with intent to kill and
destroy, 'tis then high time for the Shepherd to stir. Since I began this
letter, I received the enclosed from Philip Lee, Esq^ one of the Council of
this Province. I am continually pressed to disputations by these Papists, &
tho' I shamefully foiled Peter Atwood, one of the Jesuits & their best disput-
ant, yet the rest of them are plying daily for another attack. I am singled
out from the rest of our Clergy, by reason they look upon me to be best read
in the controversy between us. These disputes take me from a study of
another nature, which, in the end, would turn to better account both to myself
and those under my care. I have now in hand an answer to a Book entituled
modern controversy, which in a small time I design to publish with some
remarks that may be of use hereafter. I have no more to add, but am, with
profound duty & submission.
Your Lordship's
Most obedient Son & Servant,
GILES RAINSFORD.
253 [i725-
M\ BORDLET to the Secretary.
Maryland, Aug' 9'^ 1725. ■
Sir,
I am extremely obliged for your favor of Nov"^ the 9'^ with the copies
therewith sent. This waits on you at the instance of my honest countrymen,
the churchmen of these parts, who from what they have heard of your incli-
nations to serve the Plantations, presume on your generall inclinations to do
good to such as are but even in danger of affliction, which they think to be
their present case. Our church is in its infancy ; many of the Clergy whose
lives ought to be most exemplary in the establishing a church, are loose
enough to destroy one already established. This calls loudly for some eccle-
siastical superior that might check, restrain, or punish the irregular, or if their
case so require, remove them to make room for clergymen of such conduct as
the exigencies of a christian church require. Now we are much concerned at
the want of such a jurisdiction, but much more so for the apprehensions we
are under that it may be supplyed more to our grief & the scandal of the
church than as we were before, if the scheme of M"". Jacob Henderson should
weigh with my Lord of London or others so far as to Commissionate him to
this jurisdiction ; who is said here to be come home in order to apply for such
jurisdiction, & to take his Doctor's & Master's, &''., degrees to qualify himself
to wear it in the dignity of a Bishop. These things are only surmises ; but
the ambition of the man inclines us to think he would move in it ; and the soft
& saintlike manner in which he can apply gives us fear of his success, than
which nothing I can readily think of would be more Fatal nor more likely to
overthrow the present establishment of the 40 ^> poll for the support of our
ministers. He is of a turbulent & haughty spirit, & very contentious, of a
wrangling disposition, & delights much in busying himself with politicks of
state that least concern him. He refused taking the oaths to the govm' till it
was peremptorily insisted upon by our late Gov" Hart, & then he desired an
eminent magistrate to give him a certificate that he had taken them in order
to evade the taking them, but that being denyed him, he at length took them,
but from being that Gov"'^ intimate friend, became his utter enemy ever after,
& was remarkably conversant with the Papists & reputed Jacobites that were
1726.] 254
at enmity with the Gov' from that time. This & more on enquiry may be
authentically certified from home if need be. If you should hear anything of
this man's advances of this kind, your contriving his Lordship such notice
hereof as might induce him to enquire into his character before he preferred
him would be all that is desired. He is one of those Irish churchmen that
declares (as I have heard him) he had rather be a papist than a Presbyterian.
If anything in this falls in your way it will be an opportunity to you to do
good, which I know you delight in, if not I know your goodness can excuse
this trouble. I wait with great desire for your answer to what I wrote you of
the 11"' of Jan^ last, & am, with strict regard, &''.,
T. BORDLEY.
Rev. M\ WILKINSON to the Bishop of London.
Chester River in Queen Ann's County, Maryland,
June 15, 1726,
My Lord,
Our Assembly are now at last resolved not only to lessen our Revenues,
but also to divide several if not all our Parishes, which will make our main-
tenance so mean & contemptible that it will both starve us & discourage
others from coming into this Province. They are also resolved to establish
a Jurisdiction of Lay Persons over us, & will do it unless our Governor (who
is the only Friend we can depend on here) refuse his consent to it.
I think, indeed, our Parishes too large, but unless they can proportionably
advance the prices & value of the remaining Tobacco to what they deduct
from it, we must necessarily use some other endeavours for the supply of our
Families. Besides, we are so much burthened with the entertainment of
Travellers, thro' the want of convenient Houses for that purpose, that a
better maintenance than we have at present will not be sufficient to allow them
hospitality. I, for my part, have been obliged to lodge & provide for Man &
Horse at least three Nights a week ever since March last. I understand that
in & about London they, are now dividing Parishes, I heartily wish that your
Lordship would be pleased to permit your Chaplain or Secretary to inform
255 [1726.
us how they secure the present Iflicumbent his Revenue, & whether they take
any of it for the maintenance of the new Parish. I find the Parliament had
that affair under consideration, but do not understand how it was determined-
I understood D^ Welton has left Philadelphia, and is gone for Lisbon. He &
the rest of the non-jurors disagreed very much among themselves, in so much
that they avoided one another's company. M''. Talbot & M^ Smith (who also
differ very much in their sentiments of submission to our Established Govern-
ment) have been with us in Maryland. They behaved themselves very
modestly, avoided talking very much, & resolved to submit quietly to the
Orders sent from Eiigland to prohibit their publick officiating in any of the
churches or to set up Separate Meetings. I suppose your Lordship never
received the Letter I writ concerning M\ Henderson's offering his House &
Tract of Land, with all his Negroes & Stock, for a small sum towards the
maintenance of a Bishop here, for he told me you never mentioned it to him.
I crave your Lordship's blessing, and am.
May it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's
Most dutiful Son & humble Servant,
CHRIS: WILKINSON.
M'-. CALVERT to the Bishop of London.
I July, 1726.
My Lord,
The bearer, the Rev*^ M^ Tustian, going for England, I could not neglect
so good an opportunity of paying my devoir to your Lordship, & it is with
some concern that I am at the same time obliged to represent to your Lord-
ship the case of a most malicious man, Thos. Bordley, a person who has prac-
tised in the law here many years, but since my coming to the Government has
been a restless enemy to it. He got into the lower House of Assembly some
time ago, and there he endeavoured to stir them up to kick against the King's
perogative as well as his Lordship's the Proprietor.
He has made it his chief business to bring the upper house, the Council of
the Province into contempt with the people, has created very great misunder-
1726.] 256
standings between the two houses, & to crown his Malice, because the Clergy
are well wishers to the Government, he has done all he can against their
interest and reputation, for he began with representing some of them as
scandalous in their lives, and attempted to set a lay jurisdiction over them,
and last Assembly he attempted to take away part of their subsistance, the
forty per poll.
He is now going for England to pursue his wicked designs, and tho' I am
under no apprehensions of its being in his power to hurt me, I am apt to
believe he'll be with your Lordship to bespatter the Clergy. I hope your
Lordship will give . . . [illegible] ... to him, but as I have made it my
business . . . [illegible] . . . into their Affairs I hope I shall be relied upon
. . . [illegible] . . . state their case when there is a necessity for it, & shall
esteem myself happy in doing the Clergy service, as well as in obeying your
Lordship's Commands, and am
Your Lordship's obedt. Servt.,
CHARLES CALVERT.
The Vestry of Kent Island to the Bishop of London.
Maryland, Kent Island, July, 1726.
My Lord,
An address of this nature seems to require a better apology than we are
capable of, for in real verity it is with great regret, that we are obliged to
trouble your Lordship by laying before you our grievance, it being a matter
of the last consequence, & relating to the deepest concernment (i. e.), the
salvation of our souls, hath rendered it indispensibly necessary to us and the
character your Lordship's piety and wisdom hath acquired in the world hath
encouraged us to presume that your Lordship will not only consider our
complaint, but by God's grace & your own prudential pity procure us a
remedy.
The case is this, a reverend Gentleman named Thomas Phillips, who has
received the holy order of priesthood, happened here, and being without a
benefice & our Parish a great while a desolate vacancy without incumbent we
were very desirous of his induction, which we endeavoured in vain above a
257 [1726.
year, during which time he behaved himself gravely reverently and piously to
outward appearance, but since his induction he has quite altered his behavior.
For,
I. Let any person's business with him be as secret or urgent as is
possible he is utterly inaccessible till he has by his servant or servants, by
several messages and returns, open'd and related, the inmost purport of his
or their intentions before a personal conference can be obtained, and fre-
quently then be driven out of doors with opprobrious, scurrilous & abusive
language.
II. Touching visiting the sick, the most humble supplication of them, their
friends and relations hardly ever prevails, so that now the people has utterly
done expecting it from him.
III. As to burying the dead, if there is to be a funeral sermon in the case,
he seldom fails coming, but if the deceased be poor so that [there is] no ser-
mon, it is altogether vanity to expect him.
IV. In^relation to the baptizing infants, he very rarely accepts any for
surety's but communicants, which (God knows) are too few in number to be
burdened with becoming sureties for all the rest and that small number is
rather decreased than augmented by a general disgust of our people at the
surly, proud, morose and unhappy temper of our minister, & yet he has some-
times accepted without scruple for sureties the basest profligate and notori-
ously infamous to take that charge on them when that humour is on him.
And at other times we are generally obliged to carry our children, some by
land and some by water, many miles to other ministers, who never refuse to
Baptize them with such sureties as we can provide.
V. Our parishes here differ widely from those in England, wl;iere the
sound of a bell gives certain notice of the time of divine service, and half an
hour or less will suffice to walk : but here we live from the church some four-
teen or fifteen miles, so that its hardly possible to congregate by the time
used in England, which some of the principal men in our island has very
mildly and with great respect laid before our Minister, but he is so far from
being prevailed on by it, that since if there be only himself and his man ser-
vant, he will begin the service, not granting people time to ride to Church,
from such an abject distance, by which means to our great grief we are
deprived of the benefit of the service of the Church.
VI. His example seems no more edifying than his behaviour relating to
1726.] 258
his office, for he keeps and now lives with him, a convicted transported
woman servant by whom it is thought he has one Bastard, & which he keeps
in the house with him, and has endeavoured what he can to keep the whore
from justice.
Which is what we most humbly offer to your Lordship's consideration, on
which alone we depend for relief But if in any of the recited articles we
have gone beyond the bounds of respect and duty by observing what we
ought not, we most humbly beseech your Lordship to attribute that and all
other faults herein, to the effect of what it really is, pure ignorance, & we
humbly beseech your Lordship to look with an auspicious eye on this hum-
ble Presentation and supplicative Epistle : which is most humbly directed to
your pious Lordship by the inhabitants of Kent Island and members of Christ
Church Parish, on said Island, with profound deferance and respect and
prayers to Almighty God, to multiply his blessings on your Lordship and
your posterity is the hearty desire of
James Eriany, William Elliot,
James Sudler, Carter,
John Grainger, John Carter,
Marma. Goodhand, James Bennett,
Vestry. Chri^ Grainger,
John Wright, and others,
People.
M\ WILKINSON to the Bishop of London.
St. Paul's, in Chester River, Queen Ann's County,
Aug' 1=', 1726.
My Lord,
Our Assembly are now in good earnest with us, & have already begun
with the dividing of my parish. I moved both Houses to have your Lord-
ship's opinion & consent first. I pleaded my right and property, and when
neither of these were regarded, I desired that they would proceed therein
after the same manner they are now dividing Parishes in England, but all to
no purpose.
259 [1727-
It is the opinion of that house (as I'm informed) that the revenues of the
Church are so much in the power of the Assembly, that they can lessen them
at their own discretion, & according to that opinion they proceeded to cut off
one third thereof, & had certainly effected it ha,d they not unwarily brought it
in with the Merchants debts and the officers fees, which so nearly concerned
some gentlemen in the upper house that the bill was there rejected, we are
also told that the Act of Assembly establishing revenues of our Church has
not the Royal assent as was always thought hitherto & never disputed till
now. Unless therefore, your Lordship will be pleased to interest yourself in
our favour & prevail with our Proprietor the Lord Baltimore to repeal the
law, The church here must lie under such difficulties as will very much dis-
courage any clergyman for the future to come over, such a check now at this
time will very probably discourage such attempts hereafter. I must own that
our Parishes are generally too large, but as they go about dividing them, now
either the one or both will be insufficient for our support. The price of
Tobacco on our shore is generally very low, & if at any time it advances it is
not above one year in seven, or rather in nine or ten, & to be sure we are
then paid very indifferently. Could I assure myself of any preferment in the
country in England of 50 or 60 pounds a year, I would willingly exchange it
for this parish I'm now in. I beg your Lordship that however I suffer now,
you would be pleased to prevent (if possible) the ruin of this church, which
must inevitably follow if these attempts be not discouraged now. I beg your
Lordship's blessing, and am
Your Lordship's obedient servt,
CHR. WILKINSON.
M\ WILKINSON to the Bishop of London.
Queen Ann's County, Chester River,
Dec"^ 4, 1727.
My Lord,
The division of my parish has passed the lower house of our Assembly,
but was rejected in the upper, but. for no other occasion that the unequal
1727.J 26o
division, that was made by the Commissioner. Some of the leading gentle-
men assert their right of depriving us of what part of our revenue they
please. How our present Governor inclines I know not, for he is very
reserved in this & all other affairs. My consent to a division was pressingly
urged, but I refused till I had first obtained your Lordship's opinion & appro-
bation, & also till they had provided a law for amending the Quality of
tobacco, & engaging themselves to pay us with the best & not such rubbish
& trash as usually falls to my share, & which was so far from being a sufficient
maintenance for two, that at present was but a scanty maintenance for one
Minister. I desire your Lordship -vvould favour me with your opinion relat-
ing to the Division which will be debated in the next Assembly, & also how
the maintenance for a minister in the new Churches about London is raised,
whether from a new fund or out of the revenue of the old Church ? Our
assembly will probably follow the same method. Our parishes are too large
for any one Minister, but the revenue as it is in my parish (for I meddle not
with others) is no more than a bare competence.
And now my Lord pardon me if I once more intreat you to hasten the
sending over some Ecclesiasticall power & jurisdiction or other, for both
Clergy and laity call for it. While we had the very shadow of a jurisdiction
it had awful influence over them. Yet that temporal law became in a great
measure useless, but now the Church & state are running to confusion &
ruin. We are endeavouring to have a meeting of the Clergy, on our shore
to persuade (if possible) some of our Brethren to a more regular & becoming
conduct, and at the same time to draw up an address to his Majesty on his
succession to the Government.
I hope we have none with us but real & hearty friends to the succession
as by law established.
I heartily beg your Lordship's prayers & blessings, and am, may it please
your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most obdt. servant,
CHR. WILKINSON.
26i [1728.
Rev, M\ EFERSFIELD to the Bishop of London.
July 4'^ 1728.
May it please your Lordship,
I being sent last Nov'' by your Lordship as a Missionary to the Province
of Maryland in America, and there being no vacancy on the western shore
there, his Excellency the Governor was for sending me over the bay to the
eastern shore, where I should be devoured by Muquittoes a dreadful kind of
insects by day, and by chucks like our bugs in England by night. But it
pleased God to order matters otherwise, for the Rev"^ M"'. Rainsford happen-
ing a little time after to be sent for home, was pleased, upon D"'. Bray's
recommendation, to resign me his living. He had effects in these parts to a
considerable value which I bought of him, an inventory of which I have sent
your Lordship that you may see how justly everything is rated. The reasons
I had for so doing is because I have been falsely charged with simony, by M^
Henderson, your Predecessor's Commissary, for no other reason than my
giving him for his effects somewhat more than a common Planter, who allows
nothing for the buildings on the premises, neither will give for goods half the
value of them, Especially when a man is driven to a pinch as M''. Rainsford
was. I judged their proceedings no rule for another to walk by, & that their
taking the advantage of your neighbour's urgent necessaries was no argument
for my doing the like. M''. Rainsford assured me that they would not give
him within £,/ip of what his effects were worth, & I told him I would give
within £y:> (which is £\o more than the planters would give him) and judge
myself well off too. This expression came to M"". Henderson's ear, who im-
mediately accused me of simony and gave out that I had purchased the living,
whereof I can assure your Lordship there was no mention made of the living,
neither was any such thing by me intended, as M^ Rainsford to whom I
spake the words very well knows. But M'. Henderson having very grossly
abused me in his house a little before, for insisting on a couple of books he
promised me, was resolved to be Revenged of me, and made up of the inno-
cent words, before mentioned as a handle to keep me out of the living. He
having an acquaintance of his own to put in, & to whom if M^ Rainsford
would have resigned his living M'. Henderson promised that he would give
the same for his effects as I did, but finding that would not do M'. Henderson
1728.] 262
accused M'. Rainsford's wife as the serpent did Eve, & promised that if she
could prevail with her husband to resign his parish to his friend, so as to keep
me out, he would lend him ;^40 & take any of his old books for a debt of
eleven pounds he owed him, besides paying him for his effects whatever I was
to give. The worthy gentlewoman told him his proposals were very ungen-
erous, & therefore would not be complied with either by her or her husband.
Finding himself every way disappointed, he went to the Governor and lodged
an accusation of simony against both M". Rainsford & myself, which we have
cleared ourselves of by an oath, which has decided the matter, & accordingly
the Governor gave me an induction to the parish resigned by the Rev"* M"".
Rainsford as aforesaid, & was very kindly received by the Vestry there-
unto belonging, & have, blessed be God, gained the good will of the people,
whom I instruct on all occasions in the doctrines of our most holy Religion,
& have baptized many of their negroes, whom I intend God willing to catechize
every Lord's day at Church, & have exhorted My Parishioners to prepare
them for such catechization, a work very much neglected in these parts, and
am in hopes of great success therein, if this scandalous accusation of simony
which M"^. Henderson buzzes in the ears of every one he meets does not pre-
vent. I beg therefore your Lordship would check his malicious proceedings
and exhort him to reconciliation & love, and I doubt not thro' God's assistance
of enlarging the pale of the Church and of bringing many souls to Christ,
Which shall be the earnest endeavour of.
Your Lordship's most ob^' Servant,
JOHN EVERSFIELD.
Clergy of Maryland to the Society.
24* Nov^ 1728.
Sir,
We the Clergy of the Province of Maryland finding the Church and our-
selves very much distressed by a late Law passed by the Legislature of this
Province, a Copy whereof we send inclos'd, do think ourselves in duty bound
to implore the Assistance of the Venerable & Honorable Society for Propo-
gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to extricate ourselves out of some very
263 [1728.
great difficulties, in which certain Paragraphs of the said Law do involve us,
and we make no doubt but that this Venerable and pious Body of Men, who
have contributed so much to the happy Settlement of Religion in these dis-
tant and desolate parts of the World, will charitably interpose their good
offices for our Relief.
Nothing could have moved us to give the Venerable Society any trouble
of this nature, but a prospect of desolation to the Church : By this Law, the
best Parishes are reduced to a very bare Support, and the smallest must be
deserted, unless the Venerable Society will think of it, to administer a share
of their diffusive Bounty to this Colony.
The Act of Religion upon the encouragement of which we Voluntarily
transported ourselves into this Province, and which we judged very secure,
as being established upon the Public faith and honor of the Country, with the
Royal Sanction, is by this Act broken in upon, and our Maintainance very
much reduced under the Specious pretence of enlarging it. For under the
color of advancing the price of Tobacco one fourth part of our income is
taken away from us, or else we are obliged to take it at the determinate price
which the Assembly has been pleas'd to set upon it, which must certainly be
very much to our prejudice, for if Tobacco should rise in price, the People
will pay us in money, but if it continues low they will pay 30 pounds of it,
instead of the 40 Stipulated by the Act of Religion : and that too so late, that
we may reasonably conclude the Market will be over before we can get it,
either for sale here or shipping it off for Great Britain, so that let Tobacco
rise never so much in its Price, we are sure to receive no benefit by it, and if
it continues Low we are certain of losing a fourth part.
This Act also puts the Clergy under the greatest uncertainties, and dis-
advantages to the time of payment, in another respect : for the People by
this Act have till the 10"' of April to make their choice whether they will pay
us Money or Tobacco ; and after that the Sheriff to the last of June, to make
up his accounts with us, by which means several of us. may happen to serve
two or three Years before they can receive any benefits of their labors ; for
until the year which begins in November is expired, nothing is due ; and if
the Sheriffs be allowed to keep our Tobacco to the last of June following, the
market as above hinted in all probability will be over and the Shipping gone,
and the Tobacco must lye on our hands till the next year ; when if we cannot
sell it in the Country, we must ship it off home, and then be obliged to wait
1728.] 264
a whole year more for the returns of it, and how great hardships and diffi-
culties we shall be hereby involv'd in, need not further be explain'd.
This being our Melancholy Case, we humbly presume to implore the con-
currence of the Venerable Society, with the Lord Bishop of London, our most
Worthy Diocesan, for our relief, being fully satisfied of his Lordship's good
inclinations to this Church, and indefatigable industry to promote the welfare
of it, by former experience when we were only threat'ned with what is now
accomplished, which has encourag'd us to fly to his Lordship a second time,
not doubting of his readiness to espouse the cause.
We are with most dutiful respect to the Venerable Society,
Sir,
Your most humble Servants,
Jacob Henderson, Chris'" Wilkinson,
W" Maconchie, Hen"" Nichols,
John Donaldson, Alex" Adams,
Peter Tustian, Dan"- Manadier,
James Cox, James Robertson,
John Humphreys, Tho^ Fletcher,
Step" Wilkinson, Tho= Airey,
W" Cawthren, James Macgill.
The Clergy &'c. to the Bishop of London.
November 24, 1728.
May it please your Lordship,
We the Clergy of the Province of Maryland think ourselves very happy
that in all emergencys we have a Diocesan of such wisdom and influence to
apply to, and never had we more need of Assistance than at present.
Our establishment which we judged very secure by having the royal assent,
is now by Act of Assembly broke in upon, & our maintenance reduced under
a pretence of enlarging it, for under colour of advancing the price of tobacco,
by restricting our parishioners from making too great quantities of it, they
265 [1728.
think it reasonable to take away one fourth part of the forty pounds of to-
bacco, secured to every clergyman by the Act of Religion, or to pay him at
the rate of ten shillings current money for it, which we look upon to be detri-
mental to us, as either taking away a fourth part of our income or else putting
a determinate price upon it, which will set us on a precarious foot : for should
tobacco rise in price our parishioners will pay us in money, and should tobacco
prove good for little, we'll be sure to have it, though even then we cannot get
it till too late, either for sale here, or shipping off for Britain, so that let to-
bacco rise never so much in its price we are likely to receive but little benefit
by it, but if it continue of small value we are sure of losing one fourth part of
our income, & if such alterations are allowable, they who have now obliged us
to sell our tobacco, at the price they were pleased to put upon it, may by
parity of reason & on the same pretence, put a much smaller value upon it
hereafter. Which we think is in itself so dangerous to the Church & Religion
here that its enough to alarm all who are concerned for it, but further.
To show the unreasonableness of reducing our fourty to thirty, or pay us
at their pleasure it ought to be considered that the less tobacco is made, by
our parishioners, the more they'll raise of other commodity's, of all sorts of
grain & cattle, flax, hemp, cotton, hops, &c. of which the clergy are not to
have the least share, the forty being given them as a modus for all tenths they
could demand.
But further, its very probable that the people here will make as much to-
bacco under the regulation of this act as they used formerly to make, for
they'll occupy the richest and best of their grounds, and give such plants as
they are allowed to plant under this act such attendance as will make them
equivalent in weight with what they formerly planted. This is as we are
informed was experienced in Virginia under the like limitation.
This act also, puts the Clergy under the greatest uncertainty and disad-
vantage not only as to what they are to be paid in, as t'was before hinted, but
also as to the time of payment, for the people by that Act have till the tenth of
April to make their choice whether they'll pay in money or tobacco, and after-
wards the Sheriff has till the i^' of June to make up his accounts with us, by
which several Clergymen may happen to serve near three years before they
can receive any benefit of their labour ; for till the first year, which commonly
begins in November, is expired, there is nothing due, & if the Sheriff be al-
lowed to keep their tobacco till the first of June following, the market in all
1728.] 266
probability will be over, and the tobacco lie on their hands till next year, when
if they cannot sell it in the country, they may ship it hence, and then be
obliged to wait a whole year for the return of it, how great a hardship this is
we leave to your Lordship to consider.
In the next place, the fundamental law is in effect broken in upon, and
what is now done is but a trial of skill ; if they succeed in this, we doubt not
but they'll reduce farther and farther till they leave us little or nothing at all.
We thought the Royal Assent was a fence they could not break through, and
its surprising that this Government should violate a law made in the King's
name, and by his authority ratified and confirmed, without his own or suc-
cessor's consent, if this is passed over we are in a poor condition indeed, &
must either submit to the yoke & be miserable, or fly to another City.
Lastly, we thinking ourselves secure of a support so well established, have
endeavoured to make some some poor settlements for ourselves with an in-
tent to continue for life, & now to take of any part of it is a deplorable
disappointment, but we hope his Majesty, whom God long preserve, will not
suffer us to be treated after this capricious manner : and what may we not
hope for from so gracious a Sovereign. Thus in the shortest and plainest
manner we can we have laid before your Lordship our state & condition, and
are in great hopes that your Lordship's great wisdom & paternal care, will
procure not only a dissent to this Act as far as it affects us, but likewise in-
structions from his Majesty or the Lord proprietor, to our Goverment to be
entered on the Council records not to pass any Act for the future, either to
lessen the Clergy's maintenance or divide their parishes without their consent :
for this last is a prospect they are very fond of, & openly avow, that if they
dont succeed in the former, they'll make use of the latter, to render our
parishes so small, as not to be a competency. A project which can proceed
from nothing else but that spirit of Libertinism and contempt of those who
serve at the altar which is let loose into the world, & alas no part of it more
than this.
We presume to enclose a petition to his Majesty the disposal of which we
leave entirely to your Lordship's discretion, begging the favour of your Lord-
ship to present it to his Majesty if you think proper and there be occasion
otherwise to suppress it.
We have likewise sent an address to the Lord Baltimore, which we are
very much ashamed to trouble your Lordship with, & heartily beg pardon for
26; [1728.
it, but the importance of the case & the fear and danger of its miscarriage if
sent directly to his Lordship put us upon this . . . [illegible] ... we are
May it please your Lordship,
Your most dutiful humble serv*^
Chris. Wilkinson, Jacob Henderson,
Henry Nichols, John Donaldson,
Alex" Adams, Peter Tustian,
Jamse Robertson, James Cox,
Thos. Fletcher, John Humphreys,
Thos. Airy, Stephen Wilkinson,
James Macgill, William Cawthern.
Petition of the Clergy ^c. to the King.
Nov'' 28, 1728.
To THE King's most Excellent Majesty,
The humble petition . of the clergy of the Province of Maryland humbly
sheweth.
That your Majesty's most loyal Clergy and dutiful subjects of the Prov-
ince aforesaid, out of a tender regard for and consideration of the deplorable
condition of a people destitute of the means of grace & all the invaluable
advantages & blessings that may reasonably be expected from, & do usually
attend the solemn & due discharge of that great duty the publick worship of
Almighty God, have voluntarily and freely quitted their native country, &
transported themselves to this very remote part of your Majesty's dominions,
hoping nevertheless that as their principal view was to preach the Gospel,
they should live of the Gospel, for which at their transportation they had the
legislative security, a poll tax being settled and established here, near thirty
years ago, for the maintenance of Ministers which till of late hath always
been esteemed inviolable, as being made perpetual by the free Act of the
Representatives of this Province, in Assembly convened & formally ratified
and confirmed by his late Majesty, King William the Third of blessed
memory.
1728.] 268
This though a bare competency in the best endowed, and in some Par-
ishes not a sufficient maintenance, Your Majesty's poor supplicants would
contentedly acquiesce with, but in a late Act of Assembly of this Province, one
fourth of this scanty revenue is taken from us, to the utter ruin of several of
your petitioners and their families on pretences too tedious to be inserted
here, but such as are equally false and frivolous, as if we may be permitted
that honour we doubt not but we shall make appear to your Majesty.
We live dread Sovereign under the immediate goverment of the Right
Honourable the Lord Baltimore, Lord Proprietor of the Province, but as the
supreme decisive power is by express words of his Lordship's charter, re-
served to your Majesty, & the right of appeal, together with all other rights
& privileges appertaining to English subjects stipulated to us by the same.
Your petitioners considering Your Majesty's princely Zeal for the en-
couragement of learning & truth, most affectionate tenderness for all the
rights & privileges of your subjects, & your most gracious declaration to
maintain the Church of England as by law established, most humbly beg leave
to implore Your Majesty's royal protection of this distant part of it, which
must of course decline if in consequence of the aforesaid Act, the Ministers
thereof be so far reduced, as to be obliged to resign their Cures to seek a
subsistence elsewhere. *
That this may never be the case, but that your Majesty's reign may be
long & prosperous, & that our most holy Religion may flourish here &
throughout your Majesties other Dominions under it, and under one of your
most illustrious & royal line, in all succeeding generations, till time shall be
no more, is & shall be the hearty prayer of, may it please your Majesty,
Your Majesty's
Most dutiful &
Loyal subjects,
Jacob Henderson, Chris. Wilkinson,
Will" Maconchie, Henry Nichols,
John Donaldson, Alex. Adams,
Peter Tustian, James Robertson,
James Cox, Dan Maynadier,
John Humphreys, Tho. Fletcher,
Steph. Wilkinson, Tho. Airy,
Will. Cawthren, James Macgill.
269 [1728.
M\ WILKINSON to the Bishop of London.
Chester River, Dec'^ Io'^ 1728.
My Lord,
Our Assembly has at last divided my Parish & taken from me very nigh
one half of my revenue. I was always of opinion that I might have enjoyed
the whole Revenue during my life, but tis their opinion, & so they declare
that as they gave it, they can take it away at their pleasure. By this the
Church Revenue is precarious & uncertain, and to let us know that it is so,
they have reduced our forty pound poll to thirty, & not only so, but obliged
us to take \os. of our currency, which is 'js. 6d. sterling a hundred, so that
should our tobacco at any time advance its price, we can have no advantage
from it. We are exposed to some other hardships, which for want of an act
of Assembly which I could not procure, I cant so clearly as I ought lay before
your Lordship. Our Assembly have for several years past been endeavour-
ing this, but could not never effect it till my Lord Baltimore Brother is now
our Governor. These I think are such hardships which if known in England
will give but little encouragement to Clergymen, to leave their native country
to come into Maryland, & will oblige many of us here either to look out for
preferment abroad, or set up manufactory's in our families for our better sup-
port. The Clergy have resolved to send some of our Brethren to lay these
things before your Lordship & the King & Council, but are obliged to do
this privately, for should it be known They will most certainly prevent their
comeing over, as they have lately done M"^. Colebatch, by a ne exeat, whom
your Lordship by Dray's [? Bray's] letter had invited to be a suffragan here.
The Clergy have solicited me for one, but my years and a winter voyage are
my excuse. I cant yet acquaint your Lordship who will come from hence.
I beg your Lordship's blessing & prayers,
& am your Lordship's
humble obedient Serv',
CHRIS. WILKINSON.
1729-] 270
M\ HUMPHREYS to the Secretary.
Annapolis, May 4*^, 1729.
Rev"" Sir,
The Rev"^** M''. Henderson being under a sad necessity of going to Eng-
land to endeavour to rescue the Clergy of this Province from the great dis-
tress to which we are reduced by a law lately passed by the Governor and
Assembly, I make bold by him to pay my most humble respects to that very
venerable body.
I am now about to say something in relation to myself, which I am afraid
the Venerable Society will disapprove, as savouring of too much levity. I
am extremely desirous to return to my old Mission at Chester, being very
weary of Maryland, on account of the unreasonable attempts of the people
to deprive the Clergy of that support which their fathers with great difficulty
obtained, to be settled as an encouragement and maintenance of a ministry
in the Province, of which M^ Henderson can give you a just account.
I am, Reverend Sir,
Your most humble S'
JOHN HUMPHREYS.
An Act passed in Maryland for reducing the Quantity of
Tobacco formerly made there, read \\th yuly, 1729.
At a Session of Assembly begun and held at the city of Annapolis in
Maryland, the third day of Oct. 1728, the following Law {among
others) was enacted.
An Act for improving the staple of Tobacco.
Whereas it is Evident to this general Assembly that unless some Pro-
vision be made for the improvement of the staple of Tobacco, the people of
Maryland, whose present dependance is on the produce of that commodity,
271 [1729.
must be inevitably reduced to want common necessaries, or to fall upon some
other ways and means, however difficult to supply themselves.
Be it therefore enacted, by the Hon*"'* the lord Proprietary, by and with
the advice and consent of his Lordship's government, and the upper and
lower houses of Assembly and the Authority of the same, that every labour-
ing taxable person and overseer within this Province have liberty to tend
seven thousand plants of Tobacco and no more (except as is hereafter ex-
cepted) and that all male or female labouring persons, above twelve & under
sixteen years of age, have liberty to tend three thousand five hundred plants
of Tobacco & no more, upon any plantation or plantations, in any one year
during the continuance of this act.
Provided always, that all male persons being housekeepers and planters,
and not having any taxable servant or slave, and all widows and all females
sole, having land, & being housekeepers, and not having more than one tax-
able person, shall have liberty to tend for themselves ten thousand plants of
tobacco for every Male or female labouring person between twelve and six-
teen years of age, to them belonging the liberty of tending on his or her
plantation, five thousand plants of tobacco and no more, and for every white
woman belonging to such housekeeper five thousand plants and no more, &
that no such housekeeper have any allowance for more than two white women,
and for the better explaining what sort of labouring taxables and others are
intended by this act, to be restrained from making tobacco.
Be it enacted and declared, that no Master of a family keeping an over-
seer, and having six taxable servants or slaves, that work in tobacco, or any
Master of a family keeping no overseer, having six taxable servants or slaves
that work in Tobacco, or any servant or slave being a tradesman, who shall at
any time between the first day of April and the first day of September, work
at his or their trade or trades, upon the Plantation or plantations of his or
their Master or Mistress, or shall at any time or times whatsoever, work at
such trade or trades upon the Plantation or Plantations of any other person
or persons, or any servant or slave who shall be employed as Coachman,
Groom, Waiting man. Cook, Dairymaid or in any other domestic office, or
service in or about the dwelling house of his or her Master or Mistress, &
white women (except as before excepted) shall be allowed to plant any to-
bacco.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Vestry of
1729.] 272
every Parish within this Province shall, every year during the continuance of
this Act, upon the 15 day of May Yearly (if the same be not Sunday) and if
it shall so happen, then the next day after, lay out their respective Parishes
into precincts, and appoint two persons in each precinct to examine and enquire
of the names & number of the persons hereby allowed to tend tobacco, and
the Crops of the several Planters within the said precinct, & the number of
Plants growing on any and every Plantation or plantations within the same,
and on the 20"' day of the month of July Yearly, to begin to cut, or to cause
to be cut up and destroyed, all stalks, slips & suckers within such precinct,
and to proceed thereon as there shall be occasion.
Which Persons so appointed are hereby enjoined carefully to review and
examine all the several fields and places wherein Tobacco shall be tended,
within their several precincts, two respective times at the least, after the plants
thereon growing have been by them counted, and as often hereafter as they
shall judge necessary, in order to discover whether any slips or suckers shall
be turned out or tended from the stalks whence any Tobacco plant hath been
before out, and shall take an oath (or an affirmation if a Quaker) before some
justice of the Peace of the County wherein they reside, which oath (or affir-
mation if a Quaker) the said Justice is hereby empowered to administer in the
words following. Viz'. :
I, A. B., do swear (or affirm) that I will carefully, diligently and truly ex-
amine & enquire of the names & numbers of all persons allowed to tend
tobacco within my precinct, and truly and faithfully number and count the
plants growing or that have been tended on every plantation within the same,
& faithfully and diligently will review & examine all the severall fields and
places where all such tobacco plants are tended, & cut up & destroy or cause
to be cut up & destroyed, all stalks from which any tobacco shall be cut or
taken, & all slips and suckers growing from or out of the same, above the
height of nine inches from the ground, & which 1 shall find standing or grow-
ing in any of the fields or places aforesaid, according to the directions of the
Act of Assembly for improving the staple of tobacco.
And that I will duly execute all the powers and authorities given by the
said Act, and make a just and true report of my proceeding therein, without
favour, affection or partiality. And that I will make information of all such
persons who shall be guilty of any breach of the said Act, in any matter or
thing in which a[ counter is required, to examine & enquire to some Justice of
273 [1729.
the peace for the County wherein the offence shall be committed, within one
month after it shall come to my knowledge. So help me God.
And if any person appointed by the vestry of any parish to view, examine
and number tobacco plants, & to cut up & destroy tobacco stalks, slips and
suckers, in pursuance of this Act, shall refuse to accept the said office & take
the oath before mentioned (or affirmation if a Quaker) every person so refus-
ing shall forfeit and pay one thousand pounds of tobacco or five pounds Cur-
rent Money. And upon such refusal, or the disability of any such person or
persons, the vestry of the said parish shall meet and appoint one other fit per-
son in the room of him refusing and disabled, & so from time to time, as often
as such person shall refuse or become incapable, Nominate and appoint one
other in his stead, & every person so nominated and appointed, that shall re-
fuse to accept the said office & take the oath (or affirmation) as aforesaid shall
forfeit and pay the like quantity of one thousand pounds of tobacco or five
pounds current money.
And in case the Vestry men of any parish shall fail to meet on the 1 5* day
of May, or the next day after if the 1 5"" day of May aforesaid happen on a
Sunday, or shall refuse to do his duty at such vestry, so that there shall not be
a sufficient number to hold a Vestry, every such vestryman so failing to meet
or refusing to act in such vestry shall forfeit and pay the sum of Twenty
pounds current money. And such Vestry are hereby required to meet for
the purpose aforesaid within 7 days after such failure. And every Vestryman
who shall then fail to meet or shall refuse to do his duty at such vestry, so that
no Vestry is or can be held, shall forfeit and pay the sum of thirty pounds cur-
rent Money. And to the end of the duty of numbering & examining Tobacco
plants and the other services herein before mentioned, may not be neglected
for want of due notice to the persons appointed to perform the same.
Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Clerk of the Vestry of
each parish shall, immediately after the nomination of the persons appointed
for examining and numbering the plants of tobacco, deliver to each and every
of them a Copy of the order for their appointment, and shall then demand
whether they will accept the said office ; and if any of the persons so ap-
pointed shall refuse, the Clerk of the Vestry shall give immediate notice
thereof to one of the Churchwardens of the said parish, who is hereby
directed & required forthwith to call a Vestry to meet on the next Mon-
day following such notice. Such vestry so called are hereby directed to
1729.J 274
nominate and appoint other fit persons in the room of such as shall refuse
the office of counting and examining the tobacco plants as aforesaid. And
if any of the Persons nominated as aforesaid, shall afterwards become dis-
abled before he hath performed the duty hereby required of him, the person
joined with him for that precinct, shall give notice of such disability to one
of the Church Wardens of the Parish within two days after the same shall
come to his knowledge. And every neglect therein shall be deemed and
taken, and be liable to a like penalty, as a refusal to accept the office of num-
bering and examining tobacco plants ; and if upon the refusal or disability of
any of the persons appointed in any Parish to examine and number tobacco
plants as aforesaid, the Vestry of such Parish shall fail to meet & appoint
others in the room of those so refusing or disabled, according to the direc-
tions herein beforementioned, every vestryman who shall then fail to meet, or
refuse to do his duty at such meeting, so as no vestry can be held, shall forfeit
and pay the sum of thirty pounds current money, and every Churchwarden, or
clerk of the vestry neglecting or refusing to do what they are required by this
act to do and perform, shall for every such refusal or neglect forfeit the sum
of twenty pounds current money.
Provided nevertheless, that if any of the persons appointed to put this
act in execution, be hindered by sickness or other extraordinary Accident
which he could not prevent, & make the same appear to the county Court,
that he shall not be liable to any of the penalties contained in this Act.
And for the encouragement of the persons nominated and appointed as
aforesaid for examining and numbering the plants of Tobacco, & for cutting
up and destroying tobacco stalks, slips and suckers in pursuance of this Act,
Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be levied on the
taxable persons in each county, during the continuance of this Act, five pounds
of tobacco for every seven thousand plants, & proportionably for a lesser or
greater Quantity, which shall be tended & left standing within the said County,
to be distributed to the respective persons appointed by this Act, to view and
number the plants of tobacco, in proportion to the number of plants view'd
and numbered by them in their respective precincts : Which said levy of five
pounds of tobacco the Court of each County within this province is hereby
required and impowered to assess on the taxable inhabitants, & the Sheriff or
other collector of the county levy, to pay the several persons to whom the
same shall be due, in the Parish wherein they respectively reside, unless such
275 [1729.
person shall be content to take the same in some other Parish within the
County. And for every hundred tobacco stalks which shall have any sucker
or slip growing thereon of the height of nine inches from the ground, which
such person or persons shall so cut up and destroy, there shall be paid to him
or them by the owner of such tobacco stalks, or his or her overseer, twenty
pounds tobacco, and so proportionably for a lesser Quantity, to be recovered
with costs before any Justice of the Peace of the County wherein the said
tobacco stalks shall be so cut up.
And for the better direction of the persons appointed for numbering the
plants of tobacco, be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the two per-
sons nominated and sworn, in each precinct, shall jointly repair to the several
plantations, and there take the number of tobacco plants by counting the sev-
eral plants contained in every respective piece of tobacco ground, in the best
manner and by such Methods and rules as in their judgment may best dis-
cover the true quantity, having regard to regular and irregular pieces of to-
bacco ground.
And if at any time hereafter, any more plants of tobacco than are hereby
allowed shall, by the persons appointed to view and number the same as afore-
said, be found planted or tended on any plantation or plantations whatsoever,
the owner or overseer of such plantation shall immediately, in the presence of
the person or persons appointed to examine and number the same, cut up or
cause to be cut up and destroyed, so many plants as shall exceed the number
hereinbefore allowed, in such place or places of the said tobacco grounds as
the said owner or overseer shall think fit. And in case the owner or overseer
of any such plantation shall refuse so to do, the said persons so appointed to
examine and number as aforesaid, be & are hereby impowered and required
to cut up or cause the same to be cut up and destroyed, & shall have and re-
ceive as a reward for so doing, twenty pounds of tobacco for every hundred
plants of tobacco that shall be so cut up and destroyed by them, to be paid by
the owner or overseers of such plantation where such offence shall be com-
mitted, & upon due proof thereof made by the oaths of the persons appointed
as aforesaid, shall and may be recovered before any Justice of the peace of
the County where such offence shall be committed. And the persons so
to be appointed to examine and number as aforesaid, are hereby required to
make a true report of their proceedings and number of plants on each planta-
tion in their respective precincts, to the Clerk of the Court for that county
1 729-] 276
wherein the said Precincts respectively He, on or before the lo"" day of August
yearly.
And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid, that each person so
appointed and sworn to examine & number tobacco plants and to cut up and
destroy stalks, slips, and suckers as aforesaid, failing to make such report of
their proceedings as aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay two thousand pounds of
tobacco for every such offence. And if the said persons so appointed to ex-
amine and number and to cut up and destroy stalks, slips, & suckers as afore-
said, shall (knowingly) allow any person whatsoever, to plant or tend, on his
or her plantation, any more plants of Tobacco than are herein and hereby
before allowed, or to tend any seconds, slips or suckers, each person so
offending shall forfeit and pay two thousand pounds of tobacco for every
such offence.
And be it farther Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, & it is hereby
enacted, that the clerk of every county court shall (without fee or reward)
fairly transcribe all such reports as shall be returned to him by the persons
appointed in pursuance of this act for numbering of plants of tobacco, & shall
set up the same in the court house of the said County at the two next suc-
ceeding Courts after such return, so as the same may be made three days at
least before the court day, & shall also file and keep the original reports in his
office, & where it shall so happen that any Parish shall lie in two counties, In
such case a return shall be made of the number of Plantations and Plants in
each County, to the clerk of the clerk of the County wherein such plantations
shall lie, to be transcribed and set up and filed by the Clerk of such county,
in manner aforesaid, & the Clerk of any county failing to do his duty herein
shall forfeit and pay one thousand pounds of tobacco.
Provided always that where any plantation shall be in two parishes, the
tobacco plants tended thereon shall be accounted or taken to be within that
Parish or Precinct where the servants or slaves employed do reside, or the
quarter for them is situated, and the persons appointed within that precinct
where such quarter stands, and no other, shall view, examine, count, and make
return of the tobacco plants tended on such Plantation accordingly.
Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all masters of families and
housekeepers, and all overseers of distant plantations, shall give in to the
constables appointed to take the list of taxables yearly, when they give in an
account of their taxables, a true account of the names of every body above
277 [1729.
twelve & under sixteen years of age for whom any benefit of tending tobacco
is allowed by this Act, and shall so distinguish, in his or her list of taxables,
which of the persons therein mentioned are allowed to tend tobacco as afore-
said. And every Master of a family, housekeeper, or Overseer failing so to
do, shall forfeit and pay one thousand pounds of tobacco for each person.
And if any person shall list or enter with the said constable, any person under
sixteen years of age for a taxable, or that is under twelve years of age, to be
above that age or a laborer in his or her Crop, who is not hereby allowed to
tend tobacco, in either case the Person so offending shall forfeit and pay one
thousand pounds of tobacco for every such Person so falsely entered or listed.
And every Constable who shall be hereiafter appointed to take the list of tax-
ables, is hereby directed and required to take and make separate lists of the
names of all such persons above twelve & under sixteen years of age, & shall
return such lists, in the same manner as the list of taxables are returnable, to
the clerk of each respective county court, at or before the is"* day of May,
yearly, during the continuance of this act ; and shall make such distinction in
the list of taxables by him returned of the persons not prohibited by this act
to tend tobacco.
And be it farther enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that each person to
be appointed in pursuance of this act to examine and number plants as afore-
said, who shall plant and tend more tobacco, plants, or any Plantation or
Plantations to him belonging than is herein before allowed, shall, for every
such offence, forfeit and pay one thousand pounds of Tobacco for every per-
son above twelve years of age on his plantation that shall be employed in
making tobacco. And if any Master, Mistress, or overseer, shall refuse to
give a just and true account, or shall deliver a false account of the names of
the several Persons by this Act allowed to tend tobacco on their said planta-
tion or plantations, & to shew all the tobacco planted thereon, or remaining
in any tobacco beds or plant patches to the Persons appointed to view the
same, every Master, Mistress, or Overseer so refusing or giving a false
account, shall forfeit and Pay one thousand pounds of tobacco for every per-
son above twelve years of age employed in making tobacco on any such
plantation that year.
And be it farther enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that where any suit
shall be brought for the penalties in this Act contained ; for entering the list-
ing any person under 1 6 years of age a taxable, or that is under 1 2 years, to
1729.] 278
be above that age, the age of the person so listed shall be proved and deter-
mined by the Parish register, or by the order of the Court in case the age of
such Person hath been formerly judged there, or by the inspection of the
court upon the trial, and not otherwise. And be it farther enacted, by the
authority aforesaid, that no person or persons whatsoever shall transfer or
make over to any other Person or Persons any tobacco plants which he, she,
or they shall have growing on his, her, or their plantation or plantations above
the quantity or quantities allowed by this act to be tended or shall be allowed
to tend, for any labouring taxable or worker in tobacco, any number of tobacco
plants whatsoever in any other Precinct than where such taxable or worker in
tobacco was listed.
And be it further enacted, that all penalties and forfeitures in this Act shall
be applied to the uses and recovered in the manner following (that is to say),
The moiety of all the penalties to him or them that will prosecute or sue
for the same, and the other moiety to defray the county charge where the
offence shall be committed. And that all penalties not exceeding Four hun-
dred pounds of Tobacco, shall be heard, tried, and determined by a justice of
the peace, as in case of small debts. And that all penalties and forfeitures
exceeding four hundred pounds of tobacco shall be recoverable in the respect-
ive County Courts where the offence shall be committed, by action of Debt,
Bill, Plaint, or information, Presentment or indictment, wherein no essoin, pro-
tection, or wager of law shall be allowed.
And be it farther enacted, that the Magistrates of the county Courts shall
give in charge to the several grand Juries to inquire into the behaviour of all
persons appointed to put this act in execution, and the Court may, upon any
presentment by the Grand Jury, if they think fit, oblige the Party presented
to answer such presentment without any formal indictment, and that if, upon
confession or verdict, the party shall be convict, or that if the Party shall be
convict in any Action, Bill, Plaint, Information or indictment, the Court shall
proceed to Judgment, which Judgment shall be final, and no writ of error or
appeal allowed therein, nor any advantage taken or allowed for any defect or
want of an indictment, or any other form in the proceedings, any law, usage,
or Custom to the contrary, notwithstanding.
And for the ease of the people in paying and discharging all publick and
county levies, parochal and other charges assessed and levied on the people,
and lawyers fees, payable in Tobacco during the continuance of this Act, and
279 [1729-
of all tobacco debts that shall be due and owing on the lo* day of August
next ensuing for any debt contracted before the end of this Session,
Be it enacted, that all persons being indebted as aforesaid, for public and
county levies, parochial & other charges assessed and levied on the people
(except accidental charges to be allowed during the continuance and effect of
this act, wherein care may and ought to be taken at the same time the allow-
ance shall be made) and lawyers fees, may pay t;he whole or any part thereof
at ten shillings current money per Cent, and so in proportion, at or before
the lo* day of April yearly during the continuance of this act, or three parts
thereof in tobacco, in specie in full discharge and satisfaction of the whole at
the choice of the debtor. And that all persons being indicted in tobacco to
any of the inhabitants of this Province, at or upon the lo*'' day of August next
ensuing, for any debt contracted before the end of this Session of Assembly,
and which shall not be payable till some time afterward, it shall and may be
lawful for the Debtors in all such cases, during the continuance of this Act, to
pay three fourths of such tobacco in lieu of the whole.
And be it enacted that the several Sheriffs shall and may, by virtue of this
Act, have, until the last day of June yearly, during the continuance and effect
of this Act, to return the several lists of officers, lawyers fees, and other pub-
lick and County allowances and other tobacco demands, and to make their
accounts thereof. And that the several Sheriffs returning the said lists and
making up the said accounts, at or before the last day of June yearly as afore-
said, shall be deemed as full a compliance with their duty in that particular, as
if the said returns had been made & accounts made up by the lo"' day of
May, any law & usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
And let it be further enacted that all persons paying money in discharge
of tobacco, or three fourths of their tobacco debts in specie as aforesaid, shall
be fully exonerated and acquitted from the whole by virtue of this act.
And be it enacted that all debtors tendering money, or three fourths in
tobacco according to the directions of this act, shall have the same benefit or
advantage as in the case of a tender of the whole in speicie. Provided
ALWAYS, and it is the true intent and meaning of this act, that no deduction or
allowance shall be made for any of the aforementioned tobacco debts that are
due and payable, and shall be paid out of the present Crop now made, but
that all such debts shall be and remain under the same circumstances as they
would have been had this act never been made.
1729.] 28o
This Act to continue to the last day of May which shall be in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty-two. [Dissented from.]
M\ HENDERSON to the Secretary.
London, Sept^ 18*^, 1729.
Rev"" Docter,
The Clergy of Maryland's letter of November last to the Hon'''* Society
has, I am informed, been read & considered, since which the clergy have sent
me here to appear for them and to solicit their cause, which occasions me to
give this trouble, humbly imploring the Venerable Society's advice & assist-
ance.
Their letter sets forth the great hardships the late Act of Assembly has
brought upon them ; it has indeed broke through the most secure Settlement
in America, a constitution consulted and effected not only by the Governor &
assembly in Maryland, but by persons of the greatest power & station then
in England, as appears by the records of Council in the reigns of King Wil-
liam and Queen Anne, both of blessed memory. Copies whereof I have ready
to produce when the Venerable Society shall think fit to peruse them.
The case at large I have by the advice of our R' Rev*^ Diocesan drawn up
in a petition to his most Excellent Majesty, of which I am very desirous to
have the Venerable Society's approbation, and am in great hopes by his and
their favour and influence to have a ready way to justice, so that our constitu-
tion may be restored to us again.
But should it please God otherwise to order it, then I humbly implore the
Venerable Society that out of their tender concern for a distressed Clergy that
as opportunity offers, they would be pleased to employ such of them as have
a good character in their Missions in those provinces they have the care of,
and that in the mean time they would be pleased to reserve such vacancies
as they now have till this affair is determined, which I hope will soon be.
I farther humbly propose to the Venerable Society's consideration whether
they will be pleased to signify their resolution in this point to the Lord pro-
28i [1729.
prietor, to be by him communicated to the Governor & Assembly there.
And whether they will think such people should be by them applied to here-
after, worthy of their care and assistance, who have destroyed their own
happy settlement. At the desire of the Rev"^ M^ Humphrey's of Annapolis
I had the records of that city search'd to know what estate Colonel Nicholson
had there, & I find that he had four lots, which are now two small houses ;
they lie on the water the most commodious of any in the whole city for trade,
he had also given him by act of Assembly which still subsists, a piece of
ground for a vineyard, which lies on the river Severn, in the bounds of the
city, which has since been taken up and built upon.
In short both the lots and the vineyard have pretenders to them, as the
Venerable Society will see by the copies of Record I have to lay before them.
I have not at present farther to add, but that I am with the greatest submis-
sion to the Hon^'* Society,
Rev*^ Docter,
Your's &c., &c.,
JACOB HENDERSON.
M". HENDERSON to the Secretary,
London, Nov"^ 21^', 1729. •
Reverend Docter,
It is with great concern that I am obliged to make this application to the
Hon"^ Society, but I hope that the extraordinary nature of the occasion will
excuse me.
I have been delayed beyond my expectation by reason of the Lord Balti-
more, our Proprietaries long absence. Several of the bills of exchange I
brouo-ht with me are protested, my tobacco is not all sold, but what is has pro-
duced a very poor price.
These things have made the expense of prosecuting my petition before
the Lords of his majesty's most Hon*"'^ Privy Council, in their committee for
plantation affairs to whom it is referred, too great a burthen for me. I hum-
bly therefore, implore the Honourable Society, that they would be pleased,
36
173^-] 282
out of their pious concern for the EstabHshed Religion in Maryland, to defray
the expense of Councillor at Law, solicitor & clerks of the Council, and what-
ever it amounts to, I shall use my endeavours with the Clergy, and question
not to prevail pn them to refund in a reasonable time the Hon"* Society with
great gratitude and alacrity.
Rev"^ Doctor,
Yours obediently,
JACOB HENDERSON.
Lord BALTIMORE S Letter to the Clergy.
London, Jan^ 3o'^ 17^^.
Reverend Gentlemen,
I thank you for your affectionate Letter of the 24"^ Nov'', 1728, which has
been safely transmitted to my hands. The Grievances therein by you set
forth, the consideration of which had not taken up so long time but my hav-
ing been abroad.
'Tis a sensible satisfaction the Confidence you are pleased to express you
have in my maintaining the just rights of the established Church, which you
may rest assured on all events shall meet with my protection ; and I have from
time to time given all instances that have occurred of my sincere attachment
thereto, In returns for which I have hitherto met with acknowledgments worthy
of so good a body.
As the Protestant Religion is the Basis and Foundation of Our happy con-
stitution, the Regulation on which all our Felicity depends. Be well assured
nothing shall be wanting in me to show my utmost Love and Regard in the
Propagation thereof, & I shall suffer no Innovations to be made on the just
Profit accruing to the said Province of Maryland. I make no doubt but you
will on all occasions instil into the minds of the People the necessity of a good
Understanding betwixt them and the Governour. I am, Reverend Gentle-
men, with all good wishes attending you. Yours,
BALTEMORE.
283 [i730.
Statements of the Rev, THOMAS FLETCHER and the
Rev. JAMES ROBERTSON.
On March the 8'^ 1729, M^ Stoughtone meeting with me in Stepney
Parish in Somerset County, I taxed him of an advantage he had taken of me
at the house of a certain Tho^ Holbrook, in the aforesaid County, saying there
that if a man had murdered his father and committed incest with his Mother
and Sister, if a man was poor I would take his part, avouching it to be his
beHef. At several times also he passed scandalous reflections on the whole
body of the Clergy of Maryland, saying they were a scandal to the aforesaid
province. And on March the 5'^ as aforesaid, challenged me, and afterwards
further abused me by striking me.
THO^ FLETCHER.
May 22, 1730.
Sometime last March CoP Elzey, of Somerset County, being dangerously
sick, sent for me. Upon my coming to him he was desirous to receive the
Sacrament, in order to which I proposed the necessity of a reconciliation
between him and M''. T. Stoughton, his Son in Law, which he told me he was
willing to, and desired M^ Stoughton might come to see him. Some few days
after, viz., the 11"' of April, I went to see Col' Elzey, where M"". Stoughton
happened to be, and after some conversation with CoP Elzey, and praying for
him in the presence of the said M"'. Will" Stoughton (who seemed very much
affected and serious all the while), the said M^ W" Stoughton asked me to
walk out with him a little, pretending (as I imagined) friendship or some
private business, and before he had well wiped the tears of his eyes he fell a
beating and abusing me till (before I was aware of his desi'gn) he blinded me
of one eye and bruised my face to that degree that the marks of his blows
remained black and blue for 3 Weeks, and presently after his using me so
barbarously, he was so far from expressing any sorrow for it, that he said If I
was the Archbishop of Canterbury he would serve me the same sauce, and
that he would beat all the Clergy in the Country One after another if they
durst presume to talk any thing of him.
JAMES ROBERTSON.
I730.] 284
Case of the Clergy on Tobacco Act.
The Case of the Clergy of Maryland under an Act of Assembly made in that
province the 2\^* day of May, 1730, Entitled an Act for improving the
Staple of Tobacco, &'.
The Grievances the Clergy of s"* Province laboured under by a former
Act bearing the aforesaid title, made the a"""^ day of October, 1728, were repre-
sented by Petition to His Majesty in Council, who graciously referred them
to the Right honorable the Lords of his Majesty's most Honorable Privy
Council in their Committee for Plantation affairs to consider and make
report thereof to His Majesty. Whilst this was transacting The Lord Pro-
prietor arrived from beyond Seas, and applied to the Right Honorable the
Lords of the Committee to have the matter referred to him, which they
refused, but were pleased to suspend the hearing until the Lord Proprietor
should consider the matter and have time to do therein what seemed to him
to be just.
The Lord Proprietor, on a full hearing, thought fit to dissent to said Act
made in 1728, and to some other Acts that he thought were grievous to the
Clergy of his Province aforesaid. He thought fit (to prevent the like En-
croachments for the future) to send Instructions to his Deputy in Maryland
not to consent to any act to alter, lessen, or diminish the provision made for
the Clergy by an Act entitled an Act for Establishm' of religious worship in
that Province, and he wrote a Letter to the Clergy of said Province, wherein
he assures them (on all events) of his Protection, and that he will suffer no
Innovation on their rights. This letter was Communicated to the Governor
and Some honorable Members of his Lordship's Council of State.
It might have been expected that after such a Declaration from his Lord-
ship (as in said letter contained), and such Instructions to the Governor, that
there would have been no further attempts made to deprive the Clergy of
any part of their Subsistence.
But so it has happened that by the fore recited Act of the 21^' May, 1730,
the people have liberty to discharge & pay the Clergy one fourth part of their
forty p'' Poll in grain, viz', wheat at 42 pounds of Tobacco p' bushel. Barley at
285 [i730-
24 p"' bushel, Indian Corn at 20 p"" bushel, & Oats at 20 p' Bushel. This the
Clergy look upon to be little better than Cutting so much entirely off, for,
i^'. This is an alteration of the act of religion which was so maturely and
solemnly made & Confirmed by the Sovereign Dominion, upon the faith
whereof the i Clergy were induced to settle in that province, and which his
Lordship the Right honorable the Lord Proprietor has often declared he will
inviolably maintain and support.
■2^. It is depriving the Clergy of their Property without their own Consent,
which they humbly Conceive to be against the nature & Constitution of any
English Government.
3^. The Equivalent pretended to be given by this Act bears no proportion
to the Commodity deducted ; the people may pay which of the sorts of grain
they please ; Oats will (in all probability) be their choice, because they are of
least value and easily raised ; there is no use made of them but to feed horses,
so that they must lay by and rott, and the other Commodities are rated too
dear by one half, nor is there any market for them Except by chance they
can barter them away for rum, which they must sell out again for money or
Tobacco, and how unbecomeing a Clergyman will it appear to see a rum
Store at every parsonage for the Encouragement of Sotts and Drunkards ;
and there is no other visible way to bring these Commodities to answer a 4"^
part of the Clergy's Subsistence.
If the Commodities are an Equivalent why are they Imposed on the
Clergy ; may not the people as well retail them out as they ? If they are not
an Equivalent, why should the Clergy be defrauded ? It is too apparent from
these transactions that there is a design to root the Protestant Clergy out of
the Province.
4*. Physicians, Tradesmen, & Servants are under no obligation to take
part of their debts or wages in these Commodities to support these & other
Expences was hard enough on the Clergy before, but now it will be Intoler-
able.
5*^. Supposing the Inhabitants of Maryland restricted to plant Six thous-
and Plants for each Taxable and three thousand for half Taxables, and the
Clergy still allowed their just maintenance at the Established rate of 40 p'
Poll, the Planters half Taxables pay nothing to the Parish minister, & yet
make Tobacco, upon an estimate it will appear that the Clergy have not a
twentieth part of the Tobacco that is made, and nothing at all out of any other
-17 i*^-^ 286
Commodity when their fellow Subjects in England pay the 10"' of every thing
that is raised and produced for the maintainance of the Clergy of the same
Church of which they are members.
6"". The method taken to establish & confirm the deduction from the
Clergy is worthy to be considered a Tacking it to the Lord Proprietor's
Revenue Act, ablending of two bills together, the one to secure the other
from a dissent ; how Honorable this would be to his Lordship, to take (as it
were) a bribe for oppressing the Clergy, to submit to the violation of his
Instructions and to falsifie his repeated promises on account of a Sham pre-
tended Interest, when his quit rents and alienations fines will far surmount it,
is humbly submitted to the Judgment of all Disinterested persons.
Hard & unhappy is the Clergy's Fate if they must be put to the trouble
& Expence of an annual Solicitation for the preservation of their just rights ;
or if such laws should be dissented to yearly, and yearly renewed, that would
be Equivalent to a standing Act to a perpetual Law to oppress them. It is
to be hoped the Right Honorable the Lord Proprietary will put an end to
these grievances.
The Honorable the upper & lower houses of Assembly having addressed
his Lordship to confirm the Act, it is necessary to subjoin their reasons with
proper answers.
The first reason is that the welfare of the Province depends upon the
Act, to which it is answered that the welfare of the Province can never consist
in depriving the Clergy of their just rights, and doing what in its consequence
must Subvert the Established religion. There is not the least necessity to
include the Clergy in such a law, for (as was before observed) they will not
have a Twentieth part of that one Commodity. The people know better than
the Clergy what to make of the commodities that are given as an Equivalent.
That is their right and the Tobacco is the Clergy's. So that it is so far from
being unjust to the people to compel them to pay the Clergy their dues, that
it is manifestly unjust if they do not.
But to obviate all Objections of this kind, the Clergy made an offer to
compound with their Parishioners for money at a reasonable rate, which
would answer the People's end in leaving them at liberty to make the best of
the quantity they are Restrained to, but this would not do, nothing but a
deduction of a 4"" part & what they pleased to give in lieu for it, would satisfy
them.
28; [i730.
2ndiy_ 'phey gay that the Grain to be paid the Clergy will be worth as much
money as the Tobacco allowed for it would purchase without such a Law ; and
the restraint upon the planters will render the Tobacco to be paid the Clergy
of more value than what the whole without such a restraint would be.
To which it is answered that if the people pay in Oats they will not pro-
duce any money at all, if in the other Commodities they'll produce nothing
but rum, which must be sold out again as before observed ; as to the rise of
the Price of Tobacco on the restraint, it is uncertain, since the demands for
that commodity depends on foreign markets, which are not confined in their
supply to Maryland.
3**. They say they have affixed the prices of grain the very same that
Creditors are obliged to receive it at, when they Execute their Debtors for
Tobacco which they cannot pay.
What a strange reason is this ; to put the Clergy's allowance upon the
same foot with desperate debts, it is a sufficient answer to this, to read the
Act for relief of poor Debtors, fol: 234 of the body of Laws of the Province.
In short these reasons give just Cause of Suspicion that they have greatly
injured the Clergy, or why should they suspect they should Complain. They
well know the Clergy can make nothing of those commodities, except some
New Market is opened for them, and then the trouble and expense of carry-
ing them about from place to place to dispose of them will be intolerable.
They cannot depend upon them for the support of their Families ; for 'tis
uncertain which of the Commodities they'l pay in ; neither must the provision
for the families be put off to the 1 5"" day of March, to which time the planters,
are indulged by the Act to pay them ; for then they might be disappointed^
since it is at the people's pleasure whether they'l pay in Tobacco or Grain.
1730-J 288
Maryland ss.
A Visitation of the Clergy of the Eastern Shore in Christ Church, on Kent
Island, was begun and opened with Divine Service & Sermon preached by
the Reverend M''. John Lang, on Wednesday, the 2&,'^ day of June, 1730.
The Sermon ended, the Commissary made the following speech to the
Clergy :'
Rev" Bretheren,
The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London having constituted me
his Commissary for this province, I thought it necessary for 2 reasons to con-
vene you as soon as possibly I could. First, that I may examine your several
Credentials, in order to know upon what foundation you exercise the minis-
terial Function in this province ; Secondly, To bespeak your assistance &
concurrence ; in order to promote a strict and orderly administration of
Divine Offices and a suitable and exemplary life & conversation in the
Clergy.
His Lordship, in his directions to the Clergy of his Diocess in the year
1724, has laid down the public duties & offices incumbent on the Clergy to
perform in the Church, and also those that are of a more private nature, obli-
gatory on the Conscience as ministers of Christ. He hath pressed both these
kinds of duties with great force and Eloquence, So that I need say no more
but recommend them to your serious perusal & attention.
But there are besides some other particulars that should be the subject of
our Resolutions at this time, matters of the greatest consequence to our holy
Religion.
There is first The Christian Faith itself, the ground work of our holy reli-
gion. Some men that are risen up among us are, as I'm informed. Endea-
vouring to undermine and subvert the very foundation of it, arguing and
pleading against the truth of it, & against all Revelation whatever.
It is our duty therefore to study this point industriously, that we may be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the
hope that is in us with meekness and fear.
jmo_ Without a Divine Revelation it is not possible to establish & preserve
289 [i730-
a settled Rule of Morality, if men were left to their own weak and imperfect
reasonings without any Guide or Rule of duty what Confusion would they
introduce. Their Lusts & Passions would darken and corrupt their Judg-
ments, and drive them into all manner of licentiousness ; this would certainly
be the case as to the greater part of mankind, who have neither leisure nor
abilities to Collect the measure and motives of their actions, and should per-
sons of greater & deeper penetration provide them with a full System of
Morality, what must give that the authority of a Rule for general observance.
Men are not so ready to submit their Judgments to others ; the Weaker the
more opinionated & tenacious. But a Divine Revelation carrys with it an
authority adequate to the ends of Morality, the Authority of God, whom every
Creature is bound to obey under the apprehensions of Reward or Punish-
ment. This is agreeable to the nature of a rational Creature, and from hence
flows the greatest pleasure Imaginable, when we Reflect on our morality,
good actions, and the greatest horror when on our evil ones. Now if the
happiness of mankind in their intercourse and dealings with each other
depends upon the observance of the Rules of Morality, & there cannot be a
rule of Morality without a divine Revelation, it is not to be supposed that
God in his Wisdom & goodness would leave us without such a one.
2^. Without a divine Revelation there could not be a public Regular wor-
ship of the Divine Majesty. If men believe there is a God and his moral
perfection of goodness that makes him Concerned for the happiness of his
Creatures they must think themselves obliged out of a sense of duty & grati-
tude to pay him all the homage & subjection they are able. They will allow
their happiness to depend on his favor, & their misery to proceed from his
displeasure. This will lead them into some kind of worship of the deity into
some applications to procure his favour, or avert his anger. And it is as
reasonable that men united into societies & Communities should endeavour
to secure the blessings of God upon and protection to them as that each indi-
vidual should do so, hence arises the necessity of public Worship, a Joint
acknowledgment of or supplication for public blessings. Now what Security
can any one give to the Society of which he is a member ; That he will be
faithful to the Trust and confidence reposed in him, but his appearance to wor-
ship God. This is a declaration that he owns and fears God, but if he does
not Worship him, tis to be supposed he does not own & Consequently not to
be restrained by the awe or fear of him ; So that public worship is the result
I730.] 290
of reason, and that without w"'' Society cannot well subsist ; for which reason
there never was any nation or people tho' ever so barbarous but what had
some worship or other.
Let us suppose (now) Revelation laid aside and who must fix the Rule for
public worship ? what must be the Rates and observances of it ? by what au-
thority must a submission to it be established if every man is left to himself?
Independently of others what agreement can be expected ! or should they
agree (which is not to be expected) what assurance of its being acceptable ?
in short we could expect nothing but Confusion & distraction but suppose a
Divine Revelation and all is secure the Rites and observances will be settled &
uniform & the authority Competent and sufficient to enforce a submission to it.
Without Morality and Religion, Society could not well subsist, and I
think it apparent that without a divine Revelation we could have no fixed Rule
for either God in his great wisdom it seems has so closely Joined his own re-
ligion and Worship with the best Interests of men, which is no small argument
for the divine origin' of it.
These two points (my Brethren) well studied and Explained will show the
necessity of a Divine Revelation, will clear the way to the Christian Dispen-
sation & lead men to consider the Evidences & proofs for it.
The proofs are of 2 kinds Internal and external ; by the first are meant such
as arise from the nature of the precepts, articles & ordinances of the Gospel
Revelation. By the other are meant such as assert the Testimony or attes-
tation of God to it. Both these are necessary, for if the matter revealed be
contrary to any former admitted Truth, no outward proofs whatever can con-
vince us that God did reveal it. Or if the matter be such as is not inconsist-
ent with any prior acknowledged Truth yet there must be external or positive
proofs that God did reveal it.
The Internal proofs Consist in this, that the precepts, articles & ordinances
of the Gospel are noways inconsistent or contradictory to any former Truth,
natural, moral or revealed. The adversaries of our holy Religion have never
yet been able to prove that any of them are. And until they do we are secure
in this point, however it is necessary that we be prepared to show that the mat-
ters contained in the Gospel are noways unfit or unworthy of God to reveal.
The external Consists in the Testimony or attestation of God to this Rev-
elation. Jesus Christ the first Teacher of the Christian Doctrine was more
than once acknowledged by a Voice from Heaven ; he was foretold & his
291 [[730.
Doctrine prefigured by a. prior viz', the Jewish Revelation ; and to Confirm the
whole he wrought such miracles as could proceed from no less- than the finger
of God, works such as none could do except God was with him. This was a
clear proof of his divine Mission & consequently of his Doctrine. I presume
that no Deist or Libertine would deny this if they had with their Eyes seen
the Miracles that heard his Apostles wrought, the truth of the matters of fact
is what they dispute, whether such miracles as are recorded were wrought or
not ? this I think is clearly demonstrated by 4 Rules laid down by the Author
of the short and easy method with the Deists, that any fact that has all the
marks contained in those Rules cannot possibly be false. I wish that book
was reprinted here For the conviction of the Deists and libertines amongst us.
I do not intend from what is said, to prescribe to you the method you are
to take in the study of this great & necessary point, but rather to communi-
cate to you my own, and to exite you either by this or some other to make
yourselves Masters of the Contraversy, that you may be able to convince
those bold Gainsayers.
There are also other Gainsayers that we have to deal with : some who cor-
rupt, others who maintain the Faith in contention & ungodliness ; we should
be prepared to Deal with all these, to defend the Faith once Delivered to the
Saints, every Article, and every Truth of the Gospel with meekness & fear.
There is no truth in itself considered, but what is of great Concern, tho' in
respect of others that are more Essential & material it may seem but small.
In order to this we should diligently Search the Scriptures. Truth must be
thoroughly understood before we can be thoroughly qualified to encounter
Falsehood, and then we are to let Slip no opportunity ; no capacity is to lie
by unemployed, but we are 'to exert all our power to defend and propogate
our Holy Religion. This leads me to another point we are Zealously to attend
to : 2""^'^, The Instruction of the Ignorant in the Faith and practice of Chris-
tianity. This is the proper work of our calling, to explain the Doctrine, recom-
mend the Duties, and Inforce the motives of the Gospel ; the other is but
Accidental, occasioned by the poison dispersed by wicked men. But then
that requires medicine, an antidote sufficient to expel it.
The ignorant are not yet tainted. Great Diligence in Explaining and
enforcing the truths of the Gospel, may in a great measure prevent it ; for
Christianity is so rational a scheme that it cannot fail of success where the
Subject wrought upon is not miserably corrupted.
I730.J 292
The method of such Instruction Consists in catechising and Preaching ;
Points so well handled by the Right Rev"^ Prelate before mentioned that there
is no necessity to say any more about them.
There is one thing (tho') in which we must confess we are blame worthy,
both Pastors and People, in that greater care is not taken about the Instruc-
tion of the Negroes. It cannot be denied but that they are part of our cure,
& that we shall be accountable to God for the discharge of our duty to them.
But on the other Side it cannot be expected that we should become School-
masters and Tutors to them any more than to others. There is in that an
impossibility. It would be inconsistent with several branches of the minis-
terial Function ; yet we may seriously & passionately exhort Masters & Mis-
tresses to teach and instruct them or procure others to do it for them. We
may with Truth & Justice represent to them, that this is their duty, that their
own Salvation depends upon the faithful discharge of it ; and we on our part
may settle Fixt times for their public Instruction in the Church. The after-
noons of every Sunday through the Summer, & those days at the time of our
great Festivals that are indulged them from their labour, would in my opinion
be proper Seasons for that purpose. I hope (my Brethren) that you will
Concur with me in this pious undertaking, that is likely to bring so much honor
to God, and to be the happy means of the Salvation of the Souls of those
poor Creatures.
I cannot give myself leave to think that any Master or mistress will be so
barbarous as not to engage in this laudable design, especially if they seriously
peruse the Lord Bishop of London's letter to them. Exhorting them to
encourage and promote the instruction of their Negroes in the Christian faith.
In what a clear light and how Pathetically has his Lordship pressed this upon
their Consciences ? And we should, in Imitat" of him, do all in our power to
accomplish it.
^rdiy. Another particular that we should resolve upon, is to promote &
establish family worship in our several parishes. This is a Duty that every
Christian family owes to God out of a Sense of their Dependance upon him
for all blessings earthly & heavenly, daily to acknowledge & make their
devout Applications to him. The neglect of it is robbing him of one main
part of the worship that is due to him. It is a symbolizing with Atheists,
Deists, and Libertines, in laying aside all sense of God & religion in their
Families ; The consequences whereof are very dreadful and shocking. What
293 [i730-
can be expected from Children & Servants brought up in such Families, but
settled, rooted habits of Impiety & Wickedness. These they will in all proba-
bility carry into the world with them, and so become bad Christians, bad
subjects, bad husbands, bad talkers, bad masters, & the worst of members in
the Commonwealth.
On the other hand, the good examples of parents and Masters will in all
probability make such impressions on their children and Servants as will
excite them to an Imitation of their practice, and so influence them to becorne
good & useful in every Station of life.
4'"y- Another particular expected from us is a strict attention to our con-
duct & behaviour. Many eyes are upon us, all our Words and actions
narrowly scann'd & made the subject of all most every conversation. Great
circumspection is therefore necessary to the succesful discharge of our Min-
istry.
It must be confessed that the people have as good a right to a pious &
holy example, as they have to instruction or the administration of other divine
Offices. St. Paul makes it equally the characteristic of a good Pastor to take
heed to himself as unto the flock ; he exhorts Timothy to be an example unto
the believers in Words, in Conversation, in Charity, in purity and Titles, to
be a pattern of good Works ; 'tis plain, then, from these places, that a Minister
of the Gospel should take care to lead a holy life. He is obliged to do this,
not only upon account of his own Salvation, but in order to discharge his
Ministry with Success & advantage.
What can a Minister of the Gospel expect but the utmost contempt,
whose life is a flat of contradiction to his doctrine ? His life and example
should give authority to what he says ; but when he represents the dangerous
condition of impenitent Sinners in lively colors, and yet lives himself in the
habitual practice of those sins to which, with his own mouth, he owns damna-
tion to be due, must not this give great offence to good men, and to a degree
harden bad ones ?
In short, the good or bad Lives of the Clergy are of the utmost conse-
quence to religion. Nothing frightens men more from a serious Application
to it than the difficulty they apprehend to be in it. After some few attempts
made in vain, they are apt to conclude it an impossible task, and are hereby
tempted either to neglect it wholly, or to fly to those who will cut them out
an easier way to heaven ? Can it be expected that a Minister who leads a
I730.] 294
bad life will harden & confirm people in this opinion ? On the other hand, a
good Minister shews by his life the Unreasonableness of such proceedings ;
he gives a sensible demonstration how falsly they urge the impossibility of
being good, & by the conformity of his own life to his Doctrine (who is one
of like passions with them), let them see that the fault is in themselves, &
that there is no difficulty in Religion but what they may overcome by the
grace of God and the use of the means of grace, with that industry and appli-
cation of mind which a business of such moment requires.
It is Pretended that the immoral and scandalous lives of some of the
Clergy is the Cause of the great contempt of and Disaffection to them that is
to be prevailed in this province. It is notorious that grievious stories are
handed about of some of them, which, if true, It is no wonder if People are
disaffected to such ; But that the Innocent should suffer for the Guilty is
highly unreasonable, & can proceed from nothing but gross ignorance or
Infidelity. However (my Bretheren) I hope you will concur with me in all
proper methods either to reclaim such as are immoral & scandalous, or to re-
move them, that all grounds of offence may be taken away. That the ministry
be not blamed ; that the name of God be not blasphemed among the Gentiles
through such.
Lastly. A strict adherence as far as may be to the Cannons, Rules, & orders
of our Church should be resolved upon, for besides that it is our duty that we
are under solemn tyes & obligat"^ to it, the contrary practice brings a great
scandal on our church and Tends much to weaken & undermine its happy con-
stitution ; For if we are negligent in the observation of them, what can be
concluded from thence by both our friends and Enemies, but that we little re-
gard them and think them useless and vain and then that such should be
injoined by the Church must certainly be a great reflection either on her or us.
And now (my brethren) having spoken to some particulars that I thought
necessary & agreeable to the condition & circumstances of our holy religion
here among us, permit me to conclude with a Serious exhortation to weigh
and consider these things with great earnestness & sincerity. The honor of
our Lord Jesus Christ whose ministers we are & the precious souls of Men, for
whose salvation he suffered and died, are deeply concerned in the discharge
of our ministry should be [? we] prove unfaithful & instead of promoting those
blessed ends, defeat & obstruct them by either negligence or a vicious exam-
ple ; how great shall be our condemnation.
295 [i730-
We should then possess ourselves with an earnest & great desire to- pro-
mote the honor of God and Salvation of mankind & labour diligently in the
pursuit under accomplishment of that glorious design.
We should give attendance to reading, to Exhortation, to Doctrine, medi-
tate upon these things, give ourselves wholly to them that our profiting may
appear unto all, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, we may receive a
Crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The same day the Comissary went to the house of M''. John Carter one of
his Lordship's (the Lord Proprietarie's) Justices of the peace & then & there
before the said Justice in presence of several of the Clergy Took the several
Oaths To the Government, and the Oath of Office In the 12 7"' Canon &
afterwards adjourned to next day eleven O'Clock.
Thursday June 25"^. — Divine service celebrated, the Comissary proceeded
to peruse & examine severally The Clergys Letters of orders, Lycenses and
other Credentials.
SOMERSET COUNTY.
The Rev"^ M'. Tho= Fletcher, Rector of All Hallows, did not appear or send
any excuse.
The Rev" M^ James Robertson, Rector of Coventry Parish, appeared &
produced his Priests orders and Licence for Virginia and had testimonials
from thence.
Somerset Parish vacant.
The Rev"* M^ James Adams, Rector of Stepney Parish, sent his excuse by
M'', Robertson that he was sick and could not attend.
DORCHESTER COUNTY.
The Rev" M^ Tho' Thompson, Rector of Dorchester Parish, appeared &
produced his Letters of orders & lycence for this Province.
The Rev" M'. Tho" Airey, Rector of Great Choptanck Parish, appeared
and produced his Letters of orders and Licence for this Province.
S'. Mary white Chapel vacant.
TALBOT COUNTY.
The Rev" M^ Daniel Manadier, Rector of S'. Peter's Church, appeared &
produced his Letters of orders and Lycense for this province.
I730.] 296
The Reverend M"". Henry Nichols, Rector of S'. Michael's Parish, appeared
and produced, &*=,
QUEEN ANN'S COUNTY.
The Rev"^ M"", Thomas Philips, Rector of Christ's Church on Kent Island,
appeared, produced his letters of orders and a lycense for the Leward Islands
dated 10* of May, 1707; a Licence for Virginia dated 16"' of August, 1715^
but had no Testimonials from Virginia.
The Rev^ M'. James Cox, ^^Rector of S'. Paul's parish, produced a Lycense
from your Lordship but no letters of orders.
The Rev'' M'. Jno Lang, Rector of S*. Luke's Parish, appeared and pro-
duced letters of orders and licence for this Province.
KENT COUNTY.
The Reverend M'. Alex'' Williamson, Rector of Saint Paul's Parish, ap-
peared and produced Letters of orders and licence for this Province.
The Rev** M". Richard Sewel, Rector of Shrewsbury, produced letters of
orders and licence for this province.
CECIL COUNTY.
The Rev'' M'. John Urmston, Rector of S'. Stephen's Parish, appeared, &
produced Letters of orders and Licence for North Carolina but no testimoni-
als from thence.
This M'. Urmston was Drunk at the Visitation and the next day had an
admonition from the Commissary.
The Rev" M^ Geo. Ross, Rector of S'. Mary Ann's Parish, did not appear
or send any excuse.
The examination of credentials being furnished [? finished] the Commis-
sary enjoined the Clergy to a strict observance of the sg"" Canon, and pressed
upon them the obligations they were under of taking all care of the Instruc-
tion of the Negroes and so the visitation ended.
297 [i730-
Maryland ss.
A visitation of the Clergy of the Western shore in S*. Barnabas Church in
Prince George's County was begun, &c. ; opened with divine service and
Sermon preached by the Rev'^ M'. Will'" Maconchie on Wednesday the 1 5'*
day of July, 1 730.
Sermon ended, the Commissary repeated the same speech to them, that
he did to the Clergy of the Eastern Shore, and afterwards examined Letters
of orders, Licences and other Credentials, viz'.
BALTIMORE COUNTY.
The Rev* M^ Stephen Wilkinson, rector of Saint George's Parish, ap-
peared & produced Letters of Orders and Licence for this Province.
The Rev"^ M"". Cawthren, Rector of S'. John's parish, did the same.
The Rev"* M^ Will"' Tebbs, Rector of S'. Paul's Parish, did not appear or
send any excuse.
ANN ARUNDEL COUNTY.
The Rev"^ M''. James Magill, rector of Queen Caroline Parish, appeared
and produced letters of orders and licence for this province.
The Rev* Theodore Edgar, Rector of Westminster parish, appeared but
produced no Letters of orders or licence ; he pretended he had them at home.
This Gentleman was lately Drove out of Virginia for Drunkenness and
was inducted into a Parish here soon after by our Governor.
The Rev* M^ John Humphreys, Rector of S'. John's in the City of An-
napolis did not appear or send any excuse.
The Rev* M'. Jos'' Colebatch, rector of Allhollows parish, appeared and
produced letters of orders and licence for this province.
The Reverend M'. Peter Tustian, rector of S'. James' parish, appeared,
and produced letters of orders "for South Carolina, was recommended to the
38
I730-] 298
Governor of this province by the late Lord Bishop of London and has an
Ample Testimonial from Commissary Bull.
CALVERT COUNTY.
The Rev"* M''. James Williamson, rector of all Saints' parish, appeared &
produced letters of orders & licence for this Province.
The Rev"* M^ Jonathan Cay, rector of Christ Church, appeared and pro-
duced letters of orders & license for this Province.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.
The Reverend M''. Geo. Murdock, rector of Prince George's Parish, did
not appear or send any excuse.
The Rev"* M"". Jacob Henderson, of Queen Ann's parish. The Rev^ M'.
Jno. Fraser, Rector of S'. John's Parish, produced his Letters of orders and
Licence.
The Rev"^ M^ Jno. Eversfield, Rector of S'. Paul's parish, appeared & pro-
duced his Letters of orders and Licence for this Province.
CHARLES COUNTY.
The Rev"^ M^ W'". Machonchie, Rector of Port tobacco and Durham Par-
ishes, appeared, produced Letters of orders & licence for this province.
The Rev"* M^ Hugh Jones, Rector of William & Mary Parishes, produced
his letters of orders & licence for Virginia but brought an ample Testimonial
from the Inhabitants of S'. Stephen's Parish in King and Queen County in
Virginia where he was incumbent for some time.
ST. MARY'S COUNTY.
The Rev*^ M^ John Donaldson, rector of King and Queen Parish, appeared
and produced his Letters of orders and Lycences for this Province.
The Rev"* M^ Rob' Scott, Rector of All faith Parish, did not appear but
sent his Letters of orders & licence, and excuse that he was sick.
The Rev^ M'. Leigh Massey, Rector of S'. Mary's Parish, did not appear,
but sent his excuse that he was indisposed.
299 [i730-
The Examination of Credentials thus finished, the Comissary enjoined the
Clergy to a strict observance of the 59*^ Canon, and pressed upon them the
obligation they were under of taking all care of the Instruction of the Negroes
and so the visitation ended.
Address of the Clergy to the Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, July i6'\ 1730.
May it please your Lordship,
We your Lordship's Clergy of this Province, should be very much wanting
in our duty did we neglect to send your Lordship our most grateful acknowl-
edgm'^ for your kind and zealous applications in behalf of our Establishment
and your happy success therein, communicated to us by the Rev^ M^ Hender-
son whom we cheerfully receive as your Lordship's Commissary, not question-
ing but from his known zeal for our holy religion, and assiduity upon all
emergencies he will discharge the trust reposed in him by your Lordship with
such prudence on the one hand, as well as intrepedity on the other, as will
advance the honor and glory of Almighty God and strengthen the interest of
the Church of England among us. But we are heartily sorry that we have
any occasion to lament the barbarous usage he has met with here. But too
generally for his laudable endeavors to restore to us our legal maintenance
and secure us from any future encroachments which, tho' we are fully satisfied
nothing has been wanting in him to effect, yet he has not been able to do, for
no sooner was the dissent to the law we complained of to your Lordship, pub-
lished here, but an assembly was called, and another Act passed which gives
liberty to our parishioners to pay us one 4"* of our incomes in grain rated
most extravagantly, not often vendible tho' in this hot and moist climate, soon
perishable, but what most alarms us, may it please your Lordship, is, that we
have just cause to fear that this innovation is only designed as a precedent for
future assemblies to go through with what we know they would be at, Where-
fore, as we have once more applied to the Lord Proprietary for his dissent, we
beg your Lordship will pardon our presumption, if we intreat your Lordship
1 730.J 300
once again to give weight to our weak efforts, without which we apprehend all
that we can do, will be ineffectual ; we are.
May it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most obedient and
most dutiful Sons and Servants,
John Lang, Jos" Colbatch,
Ja" Robertson, Will" Maconchie,
Rich" Sewell, Jonathan Cay,
Alex"* Williamson, James Williamson,
Alex" Adams,
John Humphreys,
James Macgill,
Stephen Wilkinson,
William Cawthren,
Tho* Thompson,
James Cox,
Tho° Fletcher,
John Donaldson,
John Eversfield,
Peter Tustian,
ESDRAS T. Edgard,
Henry Nichols,
Dan"- Maynadier,
Thomas Airey,
John Uriiston,
Rev, JACOB HENDERSON to the Bishop.
Patuxent, in Maryland, Aug, I2'^ 1730.
May it please your Lordship,
I arrived here about the Middle of April last after a fine pleasant passage,
but the reception I had was not so pleasant. Some of our leading libertines
had spirited up the people against me, Inasmuch that they threatened to mob
me. Indeed one Ruffian meeting me at a Gentleman's house struck me twice
after w"''' I must confess I struck him. Another no less than a justice of the
peace and an assembly man beat two Clergymen, M', Robertson and M'.
Fletcher. The Clergy in a body complained of the latter to the Governor
but it does not appear that he takes any notice of it, nay he was so far from
resenting that barbarous usage, that in two or 3 days after he threatened in
public Company That he would kick me tho' he has always spoke fair to my
30I [i73o.
face. Such hard usage have the Clergy here for defending the patrimony of
the Church against the Encroachment of the people !
This Gentleman, a young convert from the Church of Rome, has, I do
verily think, an implacable aversion to the Protestant Clergy. If he had not
he would never violate his instructions and prostitute the proprietor's honor,
Vff^, by his promise to the Clergy, is solemnly engaged not to suffer any inno-
vation on their rights.
There has been a meeting of the Clergy of Eastern Shore, and also of the
Western, an account whereof I shall transmit to your Lordship by the very
next good opportunity.
I beg your Lordship would please to hasten an Exemplication of the Com-
mission from his Majesty. I dare not . . . [torn out] . . . any acts of Juris-
diction till that arrive being . . . [torn out] . . . our Provincial Court would
prohibit me . . . [torn out] . . . serves chiefly to accompany the Clergy's
Letter . . . [torn out] . . . under the present act of Assembly w'^'' they , . .
[torn out] . . . almost as grievous to them as the last. I hope your Lord-
ship, out of the paternal care for the Church of God in this place, will apply to
the Lord Baltimore to put an end to these Grievances ; we are most gratefully
sensible of your last endeavours. I am most deeply affected with your Lord-
ship's particular Favour to me, and am with greatest deference.
Your Lordship's most
Dutiful and Humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
M'-. HENDERSON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Maryland, 27"^ October, 1730.
Rev" Sir,
* * * The Clergy have desired me to present their grateful thanks
for the loan of the thirty pounds to me ; they will return it next Summer ;
they have been at a great expence and their commodity. Tobacco is very low
else they would have remitted it this year. I desire, Rev^ Doctor, that you
I73^] 302
would present their and my humble duty to the Hon'ble Society and believe
that I am,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
Rev. JACOB HENDERSON'S Letter to the Bishop,
Maryland, March 13*^, 1731 & 2.
May it please your Lordship,
M', Paris has sent me your Lordship's Commission, proved before the Lord
Mayor and Court of Aldermen, and attested by them under the Seal of the
City, but it is the Comission from his late Majesty King George the first, w"''
I apprehend determined at his Majestie's death and so of no use to me.
M^ Rogers says your Lordship told him that the board of Trade had sent
your Commission from his present Majesty (which I take to be the one you
now act by) to the several Colonies. I have asked both the late and present
Governor who both say they have not received any. We have not had any
ships lost these 2 years past, so that if it was sent, I admire what is become of
it ; I suspect indeed from the dislike the late Governor always showed to it,
that he may have secreted it, but it is but suspicion.
M^ Urmston whom I acquainted your Lordship I had deprived, was con-
sulting to prosecute me, for want of the royal Commission and had retained
(as I was informed) Some Lawyers for that purpose but in the mean time in a
drunken fit (as was supposed for there was no body in the house with him)
fell into the Fire and was burnt to death.
M^ Tibbs against whom there is now a complaint lodged and which I
transmitted to your Lordship continues as bad as ever and proclaims defiance
against any power whatever. He is rich and will make strong opposition. I
dare not venture to call him to account for want of the Royal Commission.
One M"^. Wright a Clergyman who was sent to Virginia about 3 years ago
run away from thence with another man's wife with whom he had lived some
time Scandalously ; the woman was rescued and taken from him ; he has been
wandering about in this Province these three months, but I hope I have pre-
303 [I73I-
vailed on the present Governor not to induct him into a small parish the only
vacant one in the province.
In short (my good Lord) I am quite tired out with the opposition I meet
with and nothing to support me, so that I humbly beg your Lordship will be
pleased either to send your Commission under the broad seal (for nothing else
I am advised will justify me or Excuse me for having any further concern
with it).
No doubt the board of Trade upon your Lordship's application would send
another, if so, I desire it may be sent to me, for I suspect foul play. This is
a proprietary Government which does not relish cordially any powers from the
Crown. I beg your Lordship's prayers for
my very good Lord,
Your most dutiful,
and obed' humble Serv',
JACOB HENDERSON.
Proceedings on the Comissarie s Visitat".
A Visitation at Oxford, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, June I6'^ 1731,
at w'^ were present
The Rev-* Mess'^
The Comissary.
Tho' Fletcher, Rector of All Hollows, Somerset County.
William Wye, Rector of Somerset, Ditto.
Tho" Thompson, R. of Dorchester p'*", Dorch. County.
Thomas Airey, R. of Great Choptauck, Ditto.
Thomas Dell, R. of S', Mary white Chappel, Ditto.
Dan Manadier, Rector of S'. Peter's, Talbot County.
Henry Nichols, R. of S'. Michael's, ' Ditto.
James Cox, Rector of S'. Paul's, Queen Ann County.
Thomas Philips, Rector of Christ Church in Kent Island, Ditto.
Alex"^ Williamson, Rector of St. Paul's, Kent County.
George Ross, Rector of S'. Mary Ann, Cecil C^^.
I73I-] 304
The Commissary spoke to the Clergy to the following purpose, that, among
other things at the last visitation, in his Speech he had pressed upon them in
particular an Earnest endeavour to have the Negroes of their Several parishes
instructed, in order to be baptized and partake of the great benefits of the
Christian religion ; that this was not only their duties as Ministers of Christ,
but was also in a particular manner charged upon them by the Right Rev^
the Lord Bishop of London, & that he expected an Account what success
their endeavours had. He then related the method he had taken in his own
parish, viz', that he had last Summer read prayers in the Afternoons Every
Sunday, & Catechized Negroes and others that came, and spent near half
an hour in explaining; that he confesses such numbers did not attend as
he expected, but that did not discourage him ; he would persist in sowing
the good seed, and doubted not but it would take root in some or other ;
that, supposing what he did should fail of Success (which he hoped was not
to be supposed), that it would excuse him when he was called upon to
give an Account of his Stewardship, & entitle him, nevertheless, to the re-
ward of his Labours, as it will do to all others that are zealous in this good
work.
He then desired of each an account of what was done towards the Instruc-
tion of the Negroes.
Mr. Fletcher said his parishioners were generally so brutish that they
would not suffer their Negroes to be instructed, catechized, or baptized.
The Commissary, upon this, advised him to take care that this be true, for
that the account would go to the Lord Bishop of London, and it would be of
111 consequence to misrepresent them ; but he persisted in it that he had often
preached up the necessity of instructing them, that he had conversed fre-
quently with them about it, and warned them of the danger of neglecting it,
but all to no purpose, that their answer was, that it made them the greater
Rogues & villians, & they would not suffer it.
Mr. Wye says his people are better disposed ; they are generally willing
to have their Negroes instructed and baptized ; that there are in his parish a
dozen Negroes, Communicants ; that he is but of short standing in the
parish, but resolves to pursue that good work.
Mr. Thompson says he has taken pains to convince the people of the
necessity of having their Negroes instructed, but tho' he has baptized several,
yet he finds them generally very remiss.
305 [i73i-
M^ Airey finds the people of his parish very inclinable to have their Negro's
instructed, but they will not be at the pains and trouble of it.
M'. Dell lately come, but says he resolves to attend to that good work.
M^ Manadier has often pressed on his people their obligation to instruct
their Negroes, but yet they are very remiss and neglectful.
M'. Nichols says his custom has always been to catechise the Youth of this
parish on all holidays. He has from the Pulpit and in conversation been Instant
with his Parishioners to instruct their Negroes, in order to their being made
Christians ; but that the best answer he can get, even from the best people, is
that they are very sorry, and Lament that they cannot comply with it.
M"^. Cox has urged the necessity of instructing the negroes, but tho' his
Parishioners allow it to be a good thing, yet they generally Excuse themselves
as thinking it to be impracticable.
M^ Williamson says that, by the Pains he has taken in instructing the
negroes of his parish, he finds them to be of 3 sorts, the first whereof are
so grossly Ignorant, that there is no possibility of Instructing them in the
principles of Christianity ; the 2^ are capable of instruction, and learn the
answers to the questions of the church Catechism, but are so egregiously
wicked as to render Baptism ineffectual. The 3'^ are duly qualified, and of
Exemplary Lives, some of whom are baptised, & others are soon to be
Baptized, so that he has good hopes to succeed with the latter sort. Especially
their Masters and Mistresses being assistant.
M^ Ross says that his parish is a new settlement ; the people are poor,
and have but few negroes ; that some of them are in bad hands, where he
has no influence ; that those whose masters are communicants frequent the
Church, but are not yet thoroughly instructed, towards w"'' he resolves to
contribute his endeavours, and to baptize them when their knowledge and
conversation shall encourage him.
The first day being spent in the foregoing particulars, the Commissary
adjourned to the next day at 1 1 o'Clock, to St. Peter's Church, when & where
there is to be a sermon preached by the Rev'^ M^ Fletcher, previous notice
given to the people.
Thursday, i y^^ of June, divine service & Sermon ended, the Commissary
appointed the meeting of the Clergy next year, to be on the 2°'' Wednesday
in the month of May, at S'. Peter's Church aforesaid, & M'. Alex' Williamson
to preach the Sermon. And so ended this visitation.
I73I-] 3o6
A Visitation at Annapolis, on the Western Shore of Maryland, July 21,
1 73 1, at w"^ were present:
The Rev"^ Mess^^
The Commissary.
WilHam Maconchie, Rector of Port Tobacco, Cha= County.
Hugh Jones, Rector of W" & Mary, Ditto.
Geo. Murdock, Rector of K. George's, Ditto.
Jno. Fraser, Rector of S'. John's, Prince George's Co^.
Jno. Eversfield, Rector of S*. Paul's, Ditto.
Jno. Humphreys, Rector of S'. Ann's, Annapohs.
Peter Tustian, Rector S'. Jas., Ann Arundel Co^.
Theodore Edzar, Rector of Westm^ Ditto.
Ja^ Magill, Rector of Queen Caroline, Ditto.
Step" Wilkinson, Rector of S'. George's, Baltimore Co^.
W" Cawthren, Rector of S'. John's, Ditto.
The Commissary spoke to the Clergy to the same purpose as he did to
those of the Eastern shore, & desired of each of them an ace' of what was
done tow^^ the instruction of the Negroes.
M"". Maconchie happened to be called away, w'=*' occasioned the want of
his Answer.
M'. Jones says that he has constantly exam"^ the Negroe's of his Parish in
& expounded to them the Church Catechism upon Sundays, after the a""*
Lesson, so that he has sev' Classes of them that can give as good an account
of their Faith as the white youth whom he Catechizes all holidays ; that he
has baptized all the Adult negroes after they have been instructed in their
duty, & the Negro Infants when brought to Church, taking Christian Negroe's
for Sureties ; & that he publishes in Church & Marries such as apply to him
for that purpose, with consent of the Masters or Owners.
M"^. Fraser says that he has catechized them duly upon Sundays after
divine Service ; the Adults are baptized publickly when perfect in their
Catechism, their masters & mistresses being sureties or witnesses. The
Infants are likewise baptized, their masters & mistresses being sureties. He
visits them in their sickness, & marries them when called upon.
M^ Eversfield says he baptizes them all in general (Infants) ; that he has
307 [i73i-
often Exhorted his Parishioners to bring them to Church to be catechized, but
they refuse ; but when it shall please God to move their hearts to a compli-
ance, he shall be very ready to do his part.
M''. Murdock says that he has taken what care he could ; that he has fre-
quently exhorted his parishioners in publick and private to instruct their
Children, Servants, and Slaves ; that he catechizes constantly from Spring to
fall, but complains that people are very remiss ; as to his own slaves, they are
all baptized, one is learning to read, another frequents the holy Sacrament ;
and he hopes to have better success in time.
M*^. Tustian says that he had ever since he came into the Parish a large
number of Christian negroes, several whereof were communicants, and their
Children all baptized, but by changing their Master are removed out of his
parish. He continues to baptize a great many Children, and some few
Adults ; he has distributed small Catechisms, Primmers, &", for the help of
their Masters and Mistresses, and hopes, with God's permission, in another
year to render more satisfactory accounts.
M^ Magill says he has taken all opportunities (Since his Induction, which
is but one year) to persuade his parishioners to prepare their Children, white
and black, for being catechized ; that he catechizes and explains every Sun-
day, after second lesson in the morning ; he hopes for good success in time,
to which he shall not be wanting to contribute his endeavours.
M^ Wilkinson says he has lately baptized four adult negroes, who could
read and answer pertinently, also four negro Children ; he hopes for success,
to which he will use his endeavours.
M'. Cawthren says he has prevailed with some Masters to instruct their
negroes, but hopes in a short time to be able to give an account more com-
fortable to himself and satisfactory to his Superiors.
Then the Commissary adjourned till next day at S'. Ann's Church.
Thursday, July 22°^ the Clergy met in S'. Ann's Church. An excellent
Sermon was preached by the Reverend M''. Tustian, the Governor, upper and
lower houses of assembly, and a large congregation being present. Divine
Service and Sermon ended, the Commissary discharged the Clergy from
further attendance, and so the visitation ended.
1731-J 308
The Rev. Commissary HENDERSON to the Lord Bishop
of London.
Patuxent in Maryland, Aug' 7'^ 1731.
May it4"lease y" Lordship,
Since mine of the 12* of August and 27* of Octob' last I have not been
honoured w*'' one line from y"' Lordship, w'='' is Indeed a great discouragement.
In both I pressed for an Exemplification of the royal Commission, more par.
ticularly in the last. I acquainted y'' Lordship that the vestry of S'. Stephen's
in Cecil County was forming Complaints ag' their Rector, M"'. Urmston, since
w'^'* they have Complained of him, and I have heard them. He had been
admonished before, and since that had been often drunk on Sundays, when
he should have performed divine Service, and Constantly on other days, and
in his drunkeness guilty of many brutal actions. The people had'Intirely left
the Church, and some were for turning Papists and others Presbyterians, so
that there was an absolute necessity to remove him. I have deprived him,
but am apprehensive he will sue me for damages, for the Exercise of an
authority for w*^*" there is no proper Evidence. I have ordered a merch' to
wait on y' Lordship w"" this, and I beg you would be plelised to direct him
what office to go to for an attested Copy of the royal Commission, it may be
here time enough to prevent giveing me Trouble, if y"^ Lordship will be
pleased to hasten it and see that it be properly attested.
There are two or three clergymen more that give great offence, but no
Complaints as yet made ag' them. I doe really think if I had the royal Com-
mission I could soon alter things greatly to the advantage of our holy
religion.
The Hon^^^ Society have sent us a great many of y'' Lordship's first and
Second pastoral Letters. I divided them Equally among the Clergy, to be
lent out as they saw occasion in their parishes. I am now Informed that
they have already done a great deal of service, confirmed many that were
wavering, and stopped the mouths of our bold Libertines, of w'^'' there are
not a few here.
309 [173 1.
The Lord Proprietor has Confirmed the Act that y« Clergy last Com-
plained of, tho' very grievous to them, in direct Contradiction to his promise
to y' Lordship, as well as his own letter to y« Clergy. The Act is to last but
one year longer, and should it be renewed, I should be glad to know whether
your Lordship Judges it proper that I should go home to Complain of it.
^ By the next good opportunity I shall Send the particulars of this year's
visitations. I am,
My very good Lord,
Y"^ Lordship's most obed'
Humble Serv',
JACOB HENDERSON.
Churchward' &' Vestrymen of S\ PauPs to M\ Com^
HENDERSON.
Rev° Sir,
We the Church wardens & vestry of Saint Paul's parish in Baltemore
County do Complain that our Rector, the Rev*^ M''. Tibbs, besides living out
of his Parish, that he has by his Own Authority without our consent set up
his Clerk, a person convicted of felony, to read the service not excepting the
absolution ; that he comes very seldom to Church himself, that the Sacrament
of the Lord's supper is seldom administered, that he refuses the burial of his
Parishioners, Particularly M''. W" Buckner & many more, that he refuses the
visiting the sick, as for example John Hillon in his Sickness & to administer
the Sacrament to him, and also to Coll. Tho^ Hammond &"=., that notwithstand-
ing by reason of his great age and weakness he cannot perform the Duties of
his Station, yet he will not make any allowance to any of his neighboring
Clergy to assist him, and that by reason of the premises the parishioners of
the parish aforesaid are much injured as well as prejudiced by the said Tibbs's
evil Example in many instances, particularly in swearing and Drunkenness
and many more Instances, all which we are ready to make appear and there-
I73I.J 3IO
fore desire you will please to appoint a time to hear them, that Justice may be
done and the Public Worship of God Duly celebrated in the Parish.
We are, reverend Sir,
Your most obed', Serv',
Tho' Sheredine,
John Moale,
Saint Paul's Parish, Sepf lo* 1731. Geo. Buchanan, }■ Vestrymen.
T. TODEL,
Tho= Hines,
JOHN EAGLESTON, Church Warden.
To the Rev^ M''. Jacob Henderson, Comissary.
Rev. JACOB HENDERSON'S Letter to the Bishop.
Patuxent, October 11* 1731.
May it please y" Lordship,
Since my last of the 7"' of Aug' little has happened save the last letter of
which that on tother side is a Copy from the vestry of S' Paul's in Baltemore
County Complaining of their Rector, the Rev^ M"". W" Tibbs, who has been
their Minister near forty years, and in the whole course of that time, has not
only as I'm informed most miserably neglected his cure but lived to Scandal
to the holy Function in Drunkenness, cursing & swearing. Fighting and quar-
elling. I think myself obliged to hear them, but am in great confusion for
want of the exemplification of the Royal Commission.
M\ Urmston did not think fit to appeal, but has been with most of our
Lawyers for advice. He is very much encouraged by the Gov'^ & the Papists
as I'm credibly informed, and incited by them either to sue me for damages or
the Sheriff, if he refuses to pay him the 40 per pole. What may be the issue I
cannot say, but upon the Petition of the vestry, he has inducted another into
the Parish, the Rev'^ M"'. Hugh Jones, and has (as I'm told) changed the form
of Induction, but how I have not yet particularly learned ; as soon as I can
311 [I73I.
your Lordship shall have an account. In the mean time I most humbly beg
your Lordship to hasten the Exemplification.
I am, my very good Lord,
Your Lordship's most Obed'
Humble Servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
Rev. JACOB HENDERSON'S Letter to the Bishop.
Maryland, Ocf 29"', 1731.
My very good Lord,
I have already by this opportunity writt at large, Since which one Allen has
applied to me for a recommendation to your Lordship for holy orders and
brought me some letters from some of our Clergy to desire it of me. I have
refused him for these reasons that he has been yet for 7 months in the Prov-
ince which is not sufficient to prove his character, that he pretends he passed
his courses at the College of Edinburgh, but in conversation I found he knew
nothing even of the principles of Logick nor can he even read Greek, and
has but a poor smattering of the Latin Tongue and appears to have no stock
of Prudence.
We have suffered very much by such already and therefore hope your
Lordship will not send him to us. I should think, my very good lord, that it
would be highly reasonable you should entertain none from hence without my
recommendation, if you should it would be a very great grief to
My very good Lord,
your mo: obed' hum: Serv',
JACOB HENDERSON.
I733-] 312
JACOB HENDERSON'S Letter to the Bishop.
Maryland, June 5'^ 1733.
My very good Lord,
The Right Hon^'^ the Lord Proprietor being upon his return home I
thought it proper to give your Lordship some account of affairs w"' respect
to religion & the clergy. His Lordship has indeed been so far from admitting
any new incroachments upon the clergy that he has declared publicly at seve-
ral times that he will suffer none, but that he will maintain them as well as all
other bodies of men in their just rights and privileges.
He has it is generally thought an undoubted right to the three lower coun-
ties upon Delaware now in possession of the family of the Penn's, they being
fairly within his charter. He is resolved to pursue his claim to indeavour to
have them reunited to this province. If this was effected it would bring those
parts under the same establishment with us and save the Hon*"'^ Society for
propogation of the Gospel in Foreign parts all the charge they are at in main-
taining the several Missionaries there besides that upon such an establishment
there would be treble the number of churches, parishes w** be convenient for
an orderly general administration of divine offices in every part of that coun-
try.
These considerations (as the clergy are persuaded it is his Lordship's
right) cause them to wish success to his Lordship, and I doubt not but if your
Lordship will be pleased to look into that affair, you'll be of the same opin-
ion, & if so, I cannot but represent it to your Lordship how great a service
you would do to religion to give his Lordship what assistance you can.
There are now but three missionaries in those three large counties. One
of them, viz', Kent, has not one. They would indeed require three or four
each [if] our ^establish' would support so many. These counties are chiefly in-
habited by Quakers & o'' sectaries (though many of our Church people are
mixed with them, many of whom have no opportunity of Public worship at all
according to the Church of England). They are generally convinced of his
Lordship's right, and would readily return but for fear of being bro' under the
Church establish'. A loud cry ag' the Fourty poll has been the great engine
the Quakers have made use of to draw the people into the interest of Pensil-
313 [1733.
vania, has made many adjoin themselves to that Govern' and become tenants
to Penn., why receives & embraces them contrary to all justice & equity. And
the Quakers now boast mightily of their great int. at Court by wh. they shall
be able to overcome the Lord Baltemore. I humbly then submit it to your
Lordship wh' it is not incumbent on all who are true members of the Church
of England to exert themselves ag' this combination of wickedness, that nat-
ural justice may prevail, and that our holy religion may be propagated in those
dark counties.
There is a small parish at the head of Cheseapeak bay that, if it had its
right, would include Newcastle & the greatest part of the people under the
missions of M"'. Ross and M". Hacket. My Lord has inducted M"". Hacket
into it ; those two gentlemen serve it in conjunction with their missions. It
is thought that it would be of service to his Lordship's pretentions if M"".
Hacket resided in the confines of it, equidistant to that & his church, he
might have a greater influence on the people to possess them with a just
notion of his Lordship's right and good disposition to render them easy &
happy. I beg your Lordship w"* prevail with the Hon^'= Society to permit M"'.
Hacket to comply with his Lordship's reasonable desire. I do really think
that it w"^ be so far from being any hindrance to the prosecute the designs of
his mission, that it w"^ be a means of enlarging the flock, and getting a better
foundation for support of our holy religion,
I must do that justice to his Lordship to say that he has done all he could
in favour of the clergy, to put them into favour & esteem with the people, &
I assure your Lordship he has been oblidgs, & shown a great deal of respect
to me as your Lordship's commissary, notwithstand^ he thinks it is his right
by his charter to order all affairs of church discipline within the bounds of his
country. As to that, I hope it will soon be settled & agreed betwixt his Lord-
ship & you. What I can say is, that he has not hindered me from execute any
of the powers of your Lordship's commission, and that in general he has left
such impressions on the minds of all here of his just, affable, & courteous
disposition, that every body wishes him much happiness & success. I beg
your Lordship's prayers for.
My very good Lord,
¥"■ most obed' humble serv',
JACOB HENDERSON.
I733-] 314
M". HOLT to the Bishop of London.
Talbot County, Maryland, September 27, 1733.
My Lord,
The growing indisposition of my Family has obliged me at last to leave
Barbadoes, which I obtained my Lord Howe's License to do for one year. I
left a Curate in Christ Church, to whom I allowed ^150 for his Salary. I was
obliged to employ the elder of the Warrens, he being the only Clergyman
disengaged in the Island. My Brother Johnson is my sole Attorney.
I am now in Maryland with the Rev'^ M"'. Nicols, Rector of S'. Michael's,
on the Eastern shore, a near relation to my wife. The great expences of this
voyage and the present season of the year oblige me to desist from my pur-
pose of extending my travel through Pennsylvania to New York.
I have waited on M". Ogle, the Governor of Maryland, and M^ Hender-
son, your Lordship's Commissary. A living void when I came hither, near
Annapolis, the Governor expressed great regard to your Lordship's letters in
my behalf, and offered me that living, with a promise of his future favours ;
but M'. Henderson interposed a claim of that living for a Friend of his (one
M'. Erquart), adding that my Lord Baltimore had promised the same to him
just before he left the Province, with which the Governor was unacquainted.
But rather than have a dispute with your Lordship's Commissary, he revoked
his offer to me, promising if I stay here he will provide for me as soon as he
has it in his power. M^ Lang has a prior promise of any living that falls
worth his acceptance, and rather than return to Barbadoes I would be glad to
succeed him in that he now has. But even herein I apprehend another diffi-
culty ; for if any Clergyman should come from England with my Lord Balti-
more's recommendation, I may be again postponed. I came hither too late to
secure an interest with his Lordship, for he had left the Province before I
arrived here.
I thank God the change of climate has already contributed much to our
good. We now enjoy our health and the use of our limbs again, and not
without reason dread the thoughts of returning to Barbadoes, which my cir-
cumstances will oblige me to do the next year, if I prove unsuccessful here ;
but I must thereby separate myself from my Family, which would be a very
hard task to me.
315 [1734.
Such is the general good disposition of the people in this Province, that
where there are exemplary & diligent Clergymen, there wants not success.
In M', Nicols' Parish the Churches are full and the communions large, and
the decencey observed in the places of divine service second to none I have
ever yet seen.
I have not mentioned to the Society my leaving Barbadoes, not being yet
assured whether I must be obliged to return thither or no. I have faithfully
served them.
Accept, my Lord, for those multiplied favors which I have received, the
best return in my power, the most grateful acknowledgement & humble
thanks of, My Lord, your Lordship's, &c.,
ART. HOLT.
7kf^ HOLT to the Lord Bishop of London.
All Faith, S'^. Mary's County, Maryland
May 20* 1734.
My Lord,
It has pleased God to give my family such a share of health in this Prov-
ince, that we could not think of leaving it to return to Barbadoes.
Some of the smallest benefices in Maryland have been vacant lately ; one
of them I have made choice of, viz', All Faith Parish in S'. Mary's County,
with a promise of further favors from the Governor, as opportunity offer. It
is a very laborious Parish, but I am, in my present state of health, as able to
supply this as I was that in Barbadoes. This parish is but litrie short of 60
Miles in' length, and very hilly; one Lord's day I must ride about 14 Miles,
the next about 24.
My Congregations are much larger than my two Churches can hold, so
that the people are obliged to croud at the outsides of the doors and windows.
They seem very joyful to have the public service of the Church once again
performed amongst them on the Lord's day, to which they have been very
much strangers for several years, through the late Incumbent's long indispo-
sition, during which time the papists reaped a very plentiful crop here, who
1 734-] 316
are indefatigable, whose Priests are of the Jesuit order, several of which there
are in my Parish and the Parishes adjacent. They have several places in this
Parish to meet in public, and seem very sanguine with hopes of greater
encouragement. Some of them are in places of profit, viz', Receivers of my
Lord's Rents. They are in number in this County, I believe, three to one
against us, nor are they so much as debarred the use of arms.
As for the Protestants, I am much satisfied to see their disposition towards
religion ; they are in general also pretty well inclined to have their slaves be
christians. I have already baptized several Negroe Infants in this Parish
belonging to persons of distinction.
I catechise and expound the Catechism every Lord's day, except on Com-
munion days, when the labor would be too great. I have already had above
ninety Communicants at one Church, and above fifty at the other.
I have now wrote to D^ Humphreys to acquaint the Society with my
removal from Barbadoes.
I humbly beg your Lordship's Blessing, and desire my poor tribute of
thanks may be received for your Lordship's many favors extended to.
My Lord, &■=,
ART. HOLT.
M\ HOLT to M\ SAMUEL SMITH.
All Faith, S''. Mary's County, Maryland,
May 21, 1734.
Reverend Sir,
Since I wrote to you last the want of health obliged me to remove with my
family to the Northward, having my Lord of London's recommendation and
my Lord Howe's License to absent for twelve months from Barbadoes.
Finding health restored to my Family in Maryland, we all desired rather
to settle here than venture again over the dreadful deep to Barbadoes, whose
torrid clime we had reason to believe would soon deprive us again of that
health which, with great risques and expence, we have so lately required.
I applied myself to the Governor of Maryland, who received me kindly,
317 [1734-
and has placed me for the present in the Rectory of All Faith, in the County
of S'. Mary, where I have a people to serve different from those in Bar-
badoes.
My Parish abounds with Papists. There are several priests, and several
places where they convene their people at their pleasure. Their priests are
of the Jesuit order.
The Protestants seem very inclinable to hear, and practice their duty. My
labour is very great amongst them, my parish being near 60 Miles long, and
very mountainous, but, to my great joy, my churches are filled, and many are
forced to crowed at the outside of the doors and windows.
I have had already upwards of 90 Communicants in one Church, and about
50 at the other. I have baptized several Negroes since I came hither. The
people are much more easily persuaded to have their slaves christians than
the Inhabitants of Barbadoes, nor, indeed, is the task so hard here, this colony
being but yet in its infancy, and the number of Slaves but small,
I catechize every Lord's day, except on communion days, and read D"".
Newton's exposition of the Catechism, being one of the books I received
from D'. Bray, which, with the other Books he sent to me, tho' they were not
so "acceptable to the Barbadians as might have been expected, will, I hope,
sufficiently answer the end here, where they are highly necessary. I shall still
keep them under my own care, except otherwise ordered by those pious asso-
ciates who succeed D'. Bray, whose commands I shall, when honored there-
with, be ever ready to obey.
I have reason to believe that the public libraries of this Province would, if
examined into, be found to stand much in need of some regulation.
Pray give my duty to your Hon'ble Society. If they are at leisure, and
are disposed to extend their favors to the people of this place, I am persuaded
they will have a happy effect. Some of those small pieces of dissuasive from
and defensive against Popery would be a very charitable present in this Parish,
where Romish Pamphlets are diligendy dispersed up & down, and where,
during my predecessor's incapacity many years thro' Lameness and sickness,
&"=., the Romish Priests made a plentiful harvest. Many families amongst us
are but half Protestant ; the husband of one and the wife of the other per-
suasion.
The women who are Papists and intermarry with Protestant husbands,
make it a part of their contract that all their daughters shall be brought up in
I735J 3i8
the romish faith. The number of Papists are supposed now to exceed the
Protestants at least 3 to one in this County.
I should be very glad to be honored with your correspondence in Mary-
land, who am,
Rev'' Sir, &=.,
ART. HOLT.
The Rev^ M". Arthur Holt, Rector of S'. Lukes
Parish on Chester River, in Queen Ann's Coun-
ty, on the Eastern shore of Maryland.
M\ HOLT to the Bishop of London.
S'^. Luke's Parish in Queen Anne County, on Chester
River in Maryland, May 23, 1735.
My Lord,
The Governor of Maryland has been pleased to remove me to S'. Luke's
Parish upon Chester River, in Queen Anne's County, on the Eastern side of
our Bay joining to Pennsylvania, two days' journey from Philadelphia.
Besides my Parish Church, I have a Chapel about 10 Miles from the'
Church, and I expect very soon to have another chapel about the same dis-
tance another way, whither I often go on week days at present, & have a
large Congregation at a private house. My Congregations and Communions
are very great, both at Church and chapel. There are but few sectaries in
this Parish, and those chiefly Quakers. I am now settled as well as I can
expect to be in this Country. The Parish I now have was enjoyed by M'.
Wilkinson, your Lordship's late Commissary on this shore.
The Governor has preferred M". Chase, on the Western shore, to a good
benefice. He is the Lord Baltimore's Chaplain.
In September last I had the pleasure of seeing M"'. Johnson, who was
forced, for his health sake, to leave Barbadoes. He went from hence to
Philadelphia, & after that to New York and new England, from whence, I
believe, he is now arrived again at Barbadoes.
319 [1735-
i
Maryland has a vast extent on this Eastern side of the Bay of Chesapeak,
pretty well inhabited, and the Clergy in it are many.
If your Lordship subjects us to an Ecclesiastical jurisdiction on the West-
ern shore, many of the Clergy on this shore must be absent from their
Parishes a long time if required to meet on the other side of the Bay ;
besides the distance, there is a great uncertainty of crossing this great and
dangerous Bay, in which many people perish by sudden gusts ; and often we
must wait many days at public houses for a fit season to venture upon the
water, by which means the expences would be very heavy to those who have
but small benefices.
I beg pardon for taking the liberty to hint this to your Lordship's good-
ness does not desire that your Clergy should labour under any grievances
that may well be avoided ; and as a Commissary has before now been settled
on this shore, we hope your Lordship will think of having it so again.
There are some worthy good Clergy in this district. M". Nicols is very
regular in his manner of life, and strict in the observation of the Rules of the
Church. M^ Williamson is another who has justly obtained a very good
character, and I am confident if your Lordship knew all the Clergy on both
sides of the Bay, you would judge of Eastern shore Clergy no less deserving
of your Lordship's particular notice than the Western shore. I humbly beg
pardon if I have gone too far, but I thought it my duty to mention these
things, which I apprehended -your Lordship not before duly informed of.
It has pleased God to bless my endeavors here. The last Lord's day a
very ancient Gentleman of a good character and good capacities who was
educated a Quaker, offered himself before the Congregation to be baptized ;
he behaved very well on the occasion, and received the Communion also
before he went out of the Church.
I thankfully acknowledge your Lordship's many favors. I can now tell
your Lordship I know not the Parish in all America that (if void) I should
desire to exchange this for which I now enjoy. It is believed the seat of
Government will remove to Chester, a new Town about 4 Miles from my
house. It is the most improving Town and most capable to be improved of
any place in the Province.
I humbly beg your Lordship's blessing, and am.
My Lord, Your Lordship's, &''.,
ART. HOLT.
1 739-] 320
The Parishioners ^ Vestrymen of S'. Stephen s, in Cecil County^
Maryland, to the Secretary.
June 5, 1739.
Stilts i0 to €ertifg.
That in S'. Stephen's Parish, in Cecil County, Maryland (Situate on both
Sides and round the head of Bohemia River), 2 handsome Brick Churches
arid a vestry house are lately built, which are to be completely finished, fur-
nished and adorned this Summer, at the expense of about ^2,000, raised
partly by Public Levy and partly by the contributions of the Parishioners.
That one of the Churches stands upon the Glebe, consisting of 300 Acres
of good Land, well improv'd, on which the rector lives, and 2 acres of Land
belong to the other Church for a yard, &c.
That, on Sundays and all the principal fasts & festivals (by turns), a large
Congregation duly assembles at each Church, behaving themselves decently
and devoutly during the time of divine Service.
That at (and about) Easter, Whitsuntide, Michae^, & Christmas, there is
a considerable number of Communicants at each Church.
That, on stated days, many parents, &c., bring their children to the
Churches to be heard and instructed in their Catechism.
That the people take due care to have their Children baptized, and send
for the rector when the infants are in danger of death.
That the people likewise duly send for him in their sickness.
That most people are careful to have their sensible negroes baptized, &
their Negro children.
That the people send for the rector to inter their dead in their family
burial place, or bring them to the Churchyards.
That, in general, virtue and religion seem very much to gain ground in
the Parish.
That there is a presbyterian Meeting house and also a residence of
Jesuits & Mass house in the Parish, but the Congregation in each are of late
but very small.
That here are but few other dissenters from the Church, tho' the neigh-
bourhood abounds with all sorts.
321 [1739.
That here is no parochial Library, tho' one would be of vast service for
the instruction and confirmation of conformists, and the conviction of Gain-
sayers ; but the people having of late liberally advanced money as aforesaid,
they are not in a Capacity to Purchase one. Therefore the subscribers hum-
bly Pray the Rev. M"^. Com^ Henderson to interceed with the R' Rev^ the
Lord Bishop of London and the rest of the venerable Society for the propo-
gation of the Gospel (in behalf of themselves and the rest of the Parishion-
ers) for a small set of Books of Practical & Polemic Divinity, to be lent out
as occasion shall require. The favor of which pious assistance Shall be
gratefully acknowledged by
HUGH JONES, Rector.
Andrew Zelifro, 1 /-u l j a i , i
„ „ > Churchwardens. And several others.
Francis Bomer, J
M'. JONES to the Secretary,
S'^. Stephen's Parish, in Cecil County, Maryland,
July 30, 1739.
May it please your Reverence, &c.,
To excuse the presumption of me and my vestry in making application to
you for the donation of a Library to this Parish, for tho' this place belongs
not to any of your Missions, yet it may lay as just a claim to partake of your
pious favours as any, being the chief mark at which the virulent darts of the
Pensylvania Deists, Quakers, Presbyterians, &c., are aimed, we being almost
surrounded by them, & having continual trade and converse with them.
You are no strangers to the cunning and diligence of these people in per-
verting their neighbours, especially the licentious and ignorant ; so that I
need only to mention that I am obliged to be continually on my guard to defend
my weak (but large) flocks against their daily attacks in one quarter or other,
in which, with "God's help, I have hitherto well succeeded, but this being a
populous and very growing place, 'tis feared that without the aid of a compe-
tent number of Books to be lent out on all occasions their insinuating Wiles
1 739-] 322
•will seduce many In a small time, since the Jesuits in my Parish with him, they
have settled and favor'd in Philadelphia seem to combine our ruin by propaga-
tion of Schism, Popery, and apostacy in this neighbourhood, to prevent the
danger of which impending tempest, 'tis hoped you will be so good as to con-
tribute your extensive charitable benevolence, by a sett of such books of Prac-
tical & polemic divinity and Church history, as you shall judge most suitable
for the purpose ; but especially the best answers to Barclay's apology, the
Independant whig, and all the other favorite Books of the quakers, deists,
Presbyterians, Anabaptists, and Papists, with Books of Piety and devotion &
vindications of the doctrines & discipline of our established Church against
all sorts of adversaries.
Such books are absolutely necessary here, the inhabitants being a numer-
ous, wavering conflux of Persons of various conditions and principles from
most parts of Europe & America, but now without a Library, that formerly
given being taken away, with a Parish divided Long since out of this ; & tho'
the place is very populous, yet the great sums of late advanced by the people,
as Specified in our representation herewith sent, make it impracticable for us
at present to purchase Books ; but delays are dangerous in our case ; there-
fore we have applied to your reverences as our sole present remedy. As I live
near your mission at Apoquinimy, I officiated sometimes there in the vacancy
before M^ Pugh's arrival, gratis, and always perform any ministerial office for
my neighbours there when applied to, many of the inhabitants there being my
auditors here when M^ Pugh is at his other Church. This I instance to show
how near we are to your reverence's mission, & that we have some small title
to partake of your favor, in return for which none shall more readily assist in
the promotion of your most Christian designs with the utmost of his ability
than.
Good Sirs,
Your most respectful, humble servant,
HUCH TONFS / Rector of S*. Stephen's, in Cecil
1 County, in Maryland.
323 [i74i.
M". JONES to the Lord Bishop of London,
North Sassafras, Cecil County, Maryland,
Oct"^ 19, 1 741.
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most laudable zeal in the cause of sound christian Faith
and vestal encourages me to presume you will not take my officiousness amiss
in acquainting you hereby that tho' there is as competent a maintenance estab-
lished on the Clergy of Maryland as (perhaps) in any other part of the Brit-
ish dominions, the benefices being, one with another, worth at least ;^200 per
Annum Sterling, & there being about 36 Parishes ; yet the great remissness or
mean capacity of some & the notorious immoralities of others of my Brethren
here give great offence to many devout people, and occasion a contempt of
the Clergy amongst many of the Laity ; of whichour Jesuits & the champions
of dissentious Enthusiasm, deism, and libertism (with all which we abound)
make no small advantage, especially seeing these sons of Eli are permitted
to persevere with impunity, & without censure or admonition, since the offa-
tion of the exercise of M*^. Henderson's commissorial power. But these are
evils which you know (my Lord) require speedy remedies, even amongst the
smallest numbers of people, but much more in this populous infant Province,
consisting of upwards of 36,000 taxables, who are not i of the whole number
of Souls. The vast importance, therefore, if the affair obliges me in con-
science to inform your Lordship of the great necessity there is for a strict
spiritual discipline over the Clergy here, either by an effectual restitution of
your Lordship's delegated Jurisdiction, or by the Proprietor's exertion of his
power (according to the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of England, to which his
Charter refers), if the right be really invested in him ; or else by a conjunc-
tion of your Lordship's authority & his ; or finally by an Act of Parliament or
Assembly obtained for the purpose, or by what other method your Lordship's
prudence and Interest can accomplish so great & necessary a work. To
exhibit particular instances of persons and facts would be tedious for your
Lordship to read & an ungrateful task for me to recite ; but if your Lordship
has received no full account thereof from other hands (as I presume you have
I750.] 324
not), if your Lordship requires it, I shall collect & transmit you a well attested
summary of particulars. In the mean time I rely on your Lordship's discre-
tion and favor not to disclose the author of this information, for reasons that
might occur to your Lordship, on account of the ill will, displeasure, &", that
a publication thereof would be occasion on behalf of,
May it please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's most dutiful humble Serv',
HUGH JONES.
P. S. — If your Lordship shall vouchsafe to write to me. Please to lodge your
letter with M^ Laurence Williams, Tobacco Merchant in London.
M'-. BACON to the Secretary.
Maryland, 4"" August, 1 750.
Reverend Sir,
Your favor of the 31^' March, together with a Box cont. 200 M'. West's
Lyttleton's Discourses in defence of Christianity, I have received, and am
very thankful to the New Society for that distinguishing mark of their confi-
dence in making me the instrument of distributing those valuable Tracts in
this Province where God knows such were greatly wanting. I shall in this,
as in all other commands they shall think fit to honour me with, endeavour to
acquit myself to the best of my power and the furtherance of their pious
intentions.
Infidelity has indeed arrived to an amazing & shocking growth in these
parts ; and 'tis hard to say whether 'tis more owing to the ignorance of the
common People, the fancied knowledge of such as have got a little smattering
of Learning, or misconduct of too many of the Clergy, especially in this
Province. Religion among us seems to wear the face of the Country; part
moderately cultivated, the greater part wild & savage. Where diligent
conscientious Pastors are seated, there improvement is to be seen, in propor-
tion to their time & labours. Where others are fixed all things appear with
325 [i75o.
a Desart aspect or over-running with an useless growth of Weeds and brush,
sprung up since the decease of the last laborious husbandman.
Tindal's Christianity &■=, is got into most Houses where any body reads :
but his confused obscurity & the want of Learning among the generality of
our Readers make him of little more service to the cause than to possess
them with a conceit that there is something very deep in him against Revela-
tion tho' they don't understand him. So that few of our real or wou'd be
Infidels are able to support even a shew of argument. They appear most
formidable in the way of Ridicule, as best suited to their capacities & most
taking with the Vulgar, in which they receive their main strength from the
Independent Whig, a Book every where to be met with. But this with Lord
Shaftebury's politer way of banter, unassisted by the irregularities of the
Clergy, would be of little force. Here indeed they seem to triumph & the
misbehaviour of some weak & (I wish I could not say) scandalous Brethren
lies open to the eyes & understanding of the meanest and most illiterate,
furnishes the evil minded among them with a plausible objection to the truth
of Christianity drawn from the open practice of its professed defenders, makes
others careless about the knowledge or means of Religion — leads many of
them into corrupt or at least sceptical principles — and leaves some simple
well meaning People a prey to the emissaries of the Church of Rome, or to
the enthusiasm of New Light & other Itinerant Preachers who not long ago
were very numerous, especially in the parts bordering on Pennsylvania:
which multiplies the labours & afflictions of the more regular honest Pastors,
who are grieved to see the Kingdom of Satan & separation from the Church
thus promoted, and their mouths stopped from any reply to such scandalous
notorious matters, as are every day to be objected from that Quarter. In this
unhappy Province where we have no Ecclesiastical Government, where every
Clergyman may do what is right in his own eyes, without fear or probability
of being called to account, and where some of them have got beyond the
consideration even of common decency, vice and immorality as well as
infidelity must make large advances ; and only the appearance of a Bishop or
Officer armed with proper powers of suspension &=, seems capable of giving
a check to their further progress.
Your Orders to me have occasioned you a trouble of another sort, which
D"". Wilson will communicate to you ; and which from the goodness of y' heart
and sincere desires of promoting the knowledge & fear of God, I doubt not
I75I-] 326
you will readily pardon. So bold an advance from an obscure unknown
person needs great apology. But the sincerity and well meaning of the
design must plead in its excuse for indeed I have no other to offer.
(Lord Baltimore appoints all the clergy in Maryland and will not consult
either with the Bishop of London or the Society.)
I request the Prayers of the Society in my behalf, and particularly recom-
mend myself to your own. That Almighty God may grant a Blessing upon
all their truly Christian pious endeavours, is the hearty and earnest Prayer of
Reverend Sir,
Your most obedient humble
Servant & Brother in Christ,
THQS BACON.
Af . ADAMS to Lord Bishop of London.
Stepney Parish, in Somerset County, Maryland,
Oct's, 1751.
My Lord,
Our assembly has altered the specie that the Clergy of Maryland by the
Royal Act of Queen Anne (of blessed memory) gave us, so that they have
not only deducted one fourth of the ^40 of Tobacco per pole, but have given
liberty to the lazy to pay what remains in 12' & 6*^ paper currency for lOO;^
tobacco, which is not nigh the value of Tobacco at present. In behalf of
myself & other Clergymen, I humbly beg the favor of your Lordship to
speak to the Hon'ble M"". Onslow, speaker of the House of Cofnmons, whom
we hear is Guardian to the young my Lord Baltimore, proprietary of Mary-
land, that the said act should not be removed, or any act made to alter or
lessen the dues of the Clergy of Maryland till first the Governor of Maryland
call the Clergy and acquaint them therewith, &*=.
I have made bold to enclose some thoughts and observations about
Bishops in America, and hope your Lordship will take it well, for Dissenters
reflect that we have none, and I have been a Clergyman in Maryland since
the year 1 704. I was ordained at Fulham about the last of July or first of
327 [1752.
August, 1 703. I thought possibly these thoughts may do some good. The
King and your Lordship are advanced in years. I thought with myself possi-
bly you might do some good before you die, for a young successor will hardly
lay such serious thoughts to heart. The Lord bless such a great good work.
I am,
Your Lordship's, &c,
ALEX^ ADAMS.
P. S. I would not have it published that I wrote to your Lordship, for
possibly I may be made uneasy here about it in my old days, tho' I have not
to my knowledge made matters higher then they are, but rather some what
lower.
Rev. M". ^DAMS to Lord Bishop of London.
Stepney Parish, in Somerset County, Maryland,
Sepf 29, 1752.
My Lord,
Upon hearing your Lordship declined the care of the Plantations, I wrote
to your Lordship how necessary Bishops were in America, and how easily
they might be supported ; but hearing that you have undertaking the care of
the Plantations, I humbly crave leave to lay before your Lordship the follow-
ing particulars : The establishment of the Church of England in Maryland by
the late Queen Anne is the best in America, yet several attempts have been
made to subvert it in 1728, as may appear by the privy Council records ; but
of late more artfully they have cut off the fourth part of the Clergy's allow-
ance & altered the specie, where, either thro' humour or interest, any person
neglects making Tobacco for what is not an equivalent ; & last June I was at
Annapolis when the Assembly was sitting, & heard the Members of the
Assembly openly say that several of the Members freely spoke of reducing it
much lower. There is no certainty if the Royal establishment of the Church
be thus attacked, altered, and subverted. N. B. There are great numbers of
Papists, Quakers, and other Dissenters in this Province. It is not so in Vir-
1752.] 328
ginia. The Clergy of Maryland are so widely distant, & the Governors these
many years neglecting to call them together, that they cannot meet to unite
in their address to your Lordship to represent their grievances. This fatal
law, that has picked my pocket about ;^200 during the five years it existed,
will expire this year. Therefore, my good Lord, speak to the young Lord
Baltimore & the Hon'ble Speaker of the House of Commons, his guardian,
to order that no more the Assembly shall alter our Royal establishment, and
that the Clergy be called by the commander in chief, that they may confer
about the affairs of the Church. Doubtless your Lordship will appoint Com-
missarys in Maryland, one on the Eastern shore that contains 7 Counties, &
another on Western shore that contains likewise 7 Counties, as Bishop Gibson
did ; but they were threatened and ceased to act because he got not his Com-
mission from the King under the great Seal. My Lord, I have three most
irregular Clergymen in my neighbourhood. M''. James Magill for the West-
ern shore, and M^ Thomas Airey for the Eastern Shore, are very capable to
be Commissarys, for they are of the old Clergy ; for some late clergy omit
reading the Athanasion creed. M"'. Bacon is so infirm with a rupture that he
cannot endure the fatigue of a Commissary.
Pray, my Lord, press earnestly that orders be sent to Maryland not to sap
and subvert our constitution, and see that it be sent in by the first ships, else
that sacraligious law will be renewed, 'tis pretended for the good of trade.
The same law is in Virginia, & the Clergy there not hurt, & they divide our
Parishes upon the removal of the present incumbent ; but nothing will satisfy
them but the ruin of the Church. They regard not the authority of the
Crown nor the good of the Church.
Pardon, my good Lord, my zealous freedom. For those 48 years I have
been in Maryland I must have more experience then some others about these
matters.
I am, My Lord, &c.,
ALEX'^ ADAMS.
P. S. I designed to have visited most of the Clergy of Maryland to sub-
scribe the enclosed, but we have had such a dry, hot, sultry Summer, such as
I can't remember the like, that I could not undertake it ; & this time I have
had a slow fever & dare not be so long from home, for it would be 500 miles'
riding at least. Those that have subscribed took me above 50 Miles' riding,
329 [1752.
going and coming, & Brother Airey came accidently to my house, whose
house is 35 miles distant from me, and our parishes only parted by a river.
My Lord, you see our poor case when we have neither Bishop or Com-
missary to call us together by authority. Pray stop the next assembly from
altering our constitution, for it cost the clergy 200 sterling to send M^ Hen-
derson home, 1728, and 'tis easier preventing a mischief than removing it, for
they artfully will engage all the Tobacco Merchants on their side, tho' Vir-
ginia has the same law, & did service but no hurt to their clergy.
N. B. We had a Commissary that acted 1728 ; then the Clergy could be
legally called together. 'Tis not so now, & I could not prevail with the
Clergy to meet even privately without authority when the late law was made.
M\ ADAMS to Lord Bishop of London.
Stepney Parish, in Some^rsex Cuunty, Maryland,
October 18, 1752.
My Lord,
I most humbly pray ybur Lordship to engage the young my Lord Balti-
more & his guardians to order that next assembly they order their president,
or if they send in a Governor, not to suffer any alteration in the establishment
of the Church of England in Maryland by the next Assembly, which com-
monly meets in May, & that only those orders be sent in, & that the com-
mander in chief in Maryland call the Clergy to meet, as formerly used to be the
practice ; for, my Lord, I have been informed by a gentleman of the first rank
in both the upper and lower houses, that they designed to ruin the constitu-
tion of the church, which is an enfringement of the authority of the Crown, as
well as of the interest of the Clergy. If the law passes as so attached to the
conveniency of the Merchants that they will be all our enemies at Court ; but
the same law may pass as in Virginia, without any detriment to the Church.
I am, Your Lordship's, &c.,
ALEX^^ ADAMS.
1752.] 330
Petition from Maryland.
To the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bishop of London.
My Lord,
Your pious and worthy Predecessors, the Bishops of London, always pro-
tected the Clergy in America, especially in Maryland, where, by the direction
of King William, the Lords Commissioners of trade and Plantations drew a
scheme which was passed by the Assembly of Maryland into an Act for the
establishment of religious worship in this Province according to the Church
of England, and for the maintenance of Ministers, which act was confirmed,
and finally enacted and ratified upon the Lords Commissioners of trade and
plantations, presenting the same to Queen Anne in Council the i8"^ day of
January, 1702 ; yet in the year 1728, the 3"^ day of October, an act passed the
Assembly of Maryland to cut off a fourth part of the Clergy's allowance ;
but upon the Commissary, the Rev"^ M"". Henderson, going home, and pre-
senting the grievances of the Clergy before his present Majesty in Council,
the Lord Proprietary of Maryland, Lord Baron of Baltimore, dissented to the
law, that it never took effect ; yet of late an act has passed, not only cutting
off a fourth part, but altering the specie for what is not an equivalent, and
this law expires next year. Therefore your dutiful Clergy humbly pray your
Lordship to engage the young Lord Baltimore and his Guardians to order
their Governors or President, which shall happen to be chief Ruler in this
province of Maryland, not to pass or suffer to pass any Act of Assembly
whatsoever, that may any way, directly or indirectly, impair or lessen, alter pr
change the specie of Tobacco the Clergy are allowed by the Royal authority,
as above ; for if the fluctuating humour of popular Assemblys be allowed,
they bring it to nothing, and ruin the constitution. Pray, my Lord, support
our Royal and happy constitution, and your Lordship's Clergy, as in duty
bound, shall ever pray.
Alex" Adams, Rector of Stepney Parish, in Somerset County.
Hamilton Bell, Rector of Somerset Parish, in Somerset County.
Patrick Glasgow, Rector of All Hallow's, in Worcester County.
Tho^ Airey, Rector of Great Choptank Parish, in Dorset County,
331 [1753.
Messrs. JONES and ADDISON to Lord Bishop of
London.
Maryland, Aug^' 27"*, 1753.
May it please your Lordship,
We Ministers of the established Church of England, settled in Maryland,
humbly presume hereby to represent to your Lordship the present state
thereof in this Province, in confidence that your celebrated piety, learning,
and prudence will incline & direct you to the most proper means of redress
in matters so immediately under your Lordship's inspection, as we apprehend
the Ecclesiastical affairs of the Plantations are.
Your Lordship undoubtedly knows the unhappy difference that subsisted
between our late Proprietary & D''. Gibson, your worthy predecessor, con-
cerning the ordination & Licenses of the Clergy, which he inducted to Livings
here in his Gift as Proprietary, the consequence of which has been the pre-
sentation of several persons unequal to the sacred function, on account of their
learning, parts, and scandalous lives ; & what adds- ^xcarly toT;he misfortune
is, that our late Commissary being (in a great measure) suspended by the
Government from the execution of his Office, not only Preists made of the
lowest of the people have been inducted, but, being under no jurisdiction,
they have done what seemed good in their own eyes, to the greatest scandal
& detriment of our holy religion, for from hence the Jesuits stationed amongst
us have reaped no small advantage ; from hence the Enthusiasts & Schisma-
ticks, rambling up and down the Provinces, seeking whom they may seduce,
have too much prevailed on the wavering & ignorant ; from hence those that
sit in the seats of the scorner have proselited too many to Deism ; from hence
many professed Members of our Church have degenerated into Luke warm-
ness by disregard to the doctrines of those whose persons they hold in the
utmost contempt; and from hence, by the vicious examples and indiscreet
behaviour of such Teachers, too many have been patronized in immoral
courses.
This being the case in many Parishes, we doubt not but your Lordship
will attempt a regulation, especially at this juncture, when we have a Proprie-
1766.] 332
tary who, in a kind letter with which he has honored one of our fraternity, has
expressed the greatest regard for our established religion in general, & for
the Clergy in his Province in particular, from whence we infer that he will
concur with your Lordship in any reasonable proposals for rectifying these
momentous affairs, & when they are reduced to their proper channel, we doubt
not but your Lordship will caution the other Bishops not to interfere, & you
will ordain & license none for Maryland but such as are worthy of the Holy
Office ; none that are sent from hence but such as produce proper testi- •
monials under the hands & seals of such of our Incumbents as your Lordship
. . . [illegible] . . . may appoint for that purpose, with the addition of coercive
power over the profligate and refractory Brethren, so that we may be no
longer a Body without a head.
The methods of effecting this necessary work must be referred to your
Lordship's discretionary conduct ; so that, with ardent Prayers for success in
this and all your laudable undertakings, & for your long continuance as one
of the greatest ornaments of the British mitre, we conclude by subscribing
ourselves,
Your Lordship's most dutiful
Sons & most respectful humble Serv*^
Hugh Jones, A.M., of the University of Oxford, and Rector of
S'. Stephen's and Augustine Parishes, in Cecil County.
Henry Addison, A.M., of the University of Oxford, & Rector
of S'. John's Parish.
M\ ADDISON to Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, Potowmack River, Oct' 29, 1766.
My Lord,
The writer of this letter, living in a remote part of the World, & being an
utter stranger to your Lordship, hath nevertheless presumed thus to address
you, from a confidence that nothing will be thought by your Lordship beneath
your attention in which the interests of the Church of England are concerned.
333 [1766.
A Clergyman as I am of that excellent Church, I cannot see any thing that
reflects disgrace upon her with indifference, and without using my best endeav-
ours to remove it, and to prevent, as far as may be, such disgrace for the
future. This must be my apology for the trouble I must at present give your
Lordship, and which is particularly occasioned by the infamous conduct and
behaviour of a person who, in this part of the World, chose to call himself by
the name of Congreve, but in the beginning of the present year was ordained
by your Lordship under that of James Colgrave or Colgreve.
It will be necessary, then, to give your Lordship a few anecdotes of the life
of this man, so far as they have come to my knowledge.
He is a native of Ireland, & hath been a good many years in America,
where, by his own account, he hath lived a vagrant life, strolling from place to
place thro' most of the Colonies upon the continent. He kept a house of
public entertainment for some time at Philadelphia, of no good repute, as I
have reason to believe. He was likewise in the Army here, particularly at the
seige of Louisbourg, where he belonged to the train of Artillery. The War
being over, and strolling about as he had been accustomed to do, he came to
Maryland, & was appointed Master of the Free School of the County of
Prince George, in which I live.. Here he married a Wife, who left him in a
week's time, apprehending her life to be in danger- from his violences. She
had much reason, for he is an abandoned drunkard, & when drunk an out-
rageous Madman. He remained with us about five or six months, and having
got in debt, left us abruptly, in other words, ran away, & I was in hopes I
should have heard no more of him for ever. Your Lordship will judge what
was my surprise and indignation upon receiving a letter from London inform-
ing me that he was in holy orders. ,
Such was his conduct before he was ordained ; and your Lordship shall
hear that his change of character wrought no change of manners in him.
Upon his arrival from England, he officiated in the Parish where he had before
resided, & immediately after the service got drunk and behaved in the most
outrageous manner, to the scandel and grief of the Friends of the Church of
England, and to the triumph of its Enemies. He officiated again at Annapo-
lis, the metropolis of this Province, where the Congregation, as I was well
informed, thro' indignation at his unworthy character, in a good measure
deserted the Church. Having made a short stay here, where he met with no
countenance, & having prevailed with his Wife, against the sense of all her
I767.J 334
Friends, to accompany him, he went to North Carolina, where, together with
a Parish, he enjoys a small appointment of ;^20 per annum from the Society ;
how worthily, your Lordship from this detail will judge.
Your Lordship will please to observe that I write not with any desire to
be concealed, but that you are at full liberty to make such use of this letter
as you shall judge proper.
In conclusion, permit me, my Lord, with humble deference, to the above
narrative to add a short reflection or two.
That upon such occasions the disgrace falls not always where it ought to
fall, upon such who recommend the unworthy to your Lordships the Bishops,
Again :
That this and such instances, which I know to be not unfrequent with
respect to America, strongly evince, amongst other things, the expediency of
establishing episcopacy here, without which one may venture to prophecy that
the Church of England must loose ground.
With ardent prayers for the speedy accomplishment of which most desira-
ble event,
I remain, with great respect.
Your Lordship's, &c.,
H. ADDISON.
Rev, D\ CHANDLER to the Bishop of London.
Eliz™town, Oct'' 21^', 1767.
My Lord,
In the month of May last I had occasion to go into Maryland, & I think it
my duty to take this opportunity to report to your Lordship that I found the
people on the Southern part of the eastern shore, where I spent a fortnight,
to be the most sober & orderly, the least vicious & the most religious, & at
the same time the freest from enthusiasm of any people I have ever met with.
There are no roman Catholics in that part of the province, & but very few
Dissenters of any sort. The parishes are all large, & the livings are gener-
ally worth ;i^300 sterling, some of them worth ;^5oo, & but very few so low as
335 [1767-
;^200. The general character of the Clergy, I am sorry to say, is most
wretchedly bad. It is readily confessed that there are some in the province
whose behaviour is unexceptionable and exemplary, but their number seems
to be very small in comparison, they appearing like here & there lights shin-
ing in a dark place. It would really, my Lord, make the ears of a sober
heathen tingle to hear the stories that were told me by many serious people,
of several Clergymen in the neighbourhood of the parish where I visited, but
I still hope that some abatement may fairly be made on account of the preju-
dices of those who related them.
The inhabitants look upon themselves to be in a state of the cruelest
oppression with regard to ecclesiastical matters. The Ch's are built &
liberally endowed, entirely at their expense, yet the proprietor claims the
sole right of patronage, & causes induction to be made without any regard to
the opinion of the parishioners ; those who are inducted are frequently known
to be bad men even at the very time, & others soon shew themselves to be
so after induction. There is no remedy, as they cannot be removed, not even
by the highest exertion of proprietary power. These are the complaints of
the people, & I was desired to represent them to your L'^ship, & to implore
your interposition in the favour, if your L'^ship thinks it may be granted con-
sistently & properly, & to any good effect. I must now beg pardon for
breaking in upon your L'^ship in this manner, & your permission again to
subscribe myself, as I sincerely am, w* the greatest respect & veneration.
My Lord,
Your dutiful Servant,
THOMAS B. CHANDLER.
1767.]
336
List of the Parishes in Maryland and their Annual Value^
as returned in the year 1767,
Baltimore
County.
Ann
Arundel
County.
Prince
George's
County.
Frederick
County.
Charles
County.
St. Mary's
County.
Calvert
County
Worcester
County
ITER (
:y. I
Somerset
County.
St. George's Parish, . . .
St. John's,
St. Thomas's,
St. Paul's,
Queen Caroline Parish,
St. Margaret's, Westmin-
ster,
St. Ann's,
All Hallows,
St. James's,
Queen Ann's Parish,
St. Paul's, . . . .
King George's,
Prince George's Parish,
All Saints',
Durham Parish, . . .
William and Mary, . .
Port Tobacco,
Trinity,
King and Queen Parish,
St. Andrew's, ....
All Faiths', ....
William and Mary, . .
All Saints' Parish, . .
Christ Church, . . .
Worcester Parish, . .
All Hallows, ....
Coventry Parish, . . .
Stepney,
Somerset,
Lendrum, Rector,
Z. Sept. 24, 1739, Deans, Rector,
Z. Feb. 21, 1743, Cradock, Rec-
tor,
Z. Feb. 12, 1738, Chase, Rector,
Z. McGill, March 28, 1727, Rector,
West, Rector,
Sept. 30, 1766, Z. Allen, Rector, .
Love, Rector,
Mar. 30, 1767, Z. Edmiston, Rec-
tor,
Brogden, Rector,
Z. Sept. 25, 1727, Eversfield, Rec-
tor,
Addison, Rector,
Williamson, Rector,
Sept. 30, 1766, Z. Allen, Rector, .
Z. Dowie, April 2, 1762, Rector, .
Z. McPherson, April 17, 1751,
Rector,
Z. Thorton, Sept. 22, 1754, Rec
tor,
Campbell, Rector,
Z. Brown, July 9, 1750, Rector,
Ranney, Curate or Probationer,
Stevens, Do. Do.
Tabbs, Rector,
Z. Lawder, Nov. 24, 1761, Rector,
Williamson, Rector, ....
Hughes, Curate or Probationer,
Z. Ross, Sept. 22, 1754, Rector, .
Reade, Curate or Probationer, .
Z. Adams, Dec. 21, 1748, Rector,
Oct. 19, 1647, L. Bell, Rector,
;^24i
12
8
364
I
0
191
7
6
211
6
8
241
13
8
III
13
4
199
S
3
162
6
4
213
3
0
246
2
10
238
13
9
267
I
10
363
3
4
452
13
0
137
12
0
180
253
14
II
194
5
5
160
6
S
152
4
2
136
12
9
162
3
6
173
10
II
180
7
5
144
10
7
149
6
9
151
16
10
213
16
I
125
12
8
2>Z1
[1768.
Dorchester
County.
Talbot
County.
Queen
Anne's
County.
Kent
County.
Dorchester Parish,
Great Choptank, .
St. Mary's, Whitechapel,
St. Peter's Parish, . .
St. Michael's, ....
Christ Church Parish, .
St. John's, ....
St. Paul's, ....
St. Luke's, ....
St. Paul's Parish, . .
Chester,
Shrewsbury, . . .
St. Mary Ann Parish,
St. Stephen's, . ' . .
St. Augustine, . . .
McCallum, Rector,
L. Maynadier, Dec. 29, 1760, Rec-
tor
L. Walker, Mar. 25, 1756, Rector,
Barclay, Rector,
Gorden, Rector,
L. Howard, Curate or Probationer,
May 2, 1765,
Feb. 25, 1766, L. Alkin, Do. .
Mar. 26, 1750, Z. Neil, Rector, .
Sept. 30, 1760, Z. Keene, Rector,
Z. Sloan, Curate or Probationer,
L. Harris, Do.
Forrester, Rector
Hamilton, Rector,
Mar. 4, 1760, Z. BarroU, Rector,
Dec. 29, 1760, L. Mather, Rector,
£^A1 8 3
206 4
232 II
201 12
214 19
99 "
181 12
209 9
225 4
169 5
126 12
194 14
144 S
109 10
76 4
3
4
8
I
9
8
7
4
8
2
4
I
3
4
Some of the Parishes have Glebe Land belonging to them, but as there are not on more
than two or three of them Glebe Houses fit for a Rector to live in, they are leased out by the
Rectors at a small rent from five to fifteen pounds a year.
The Rev. HUGH NEILL to the Right Rev. Lord Bishop
of London.
September 20* 1768.
My Lord,
The duty I owe your Lordship as my Diocesan, and the unalterable
attachment I bear the Government of the Church, as established by Law in
England, induces me at this time to communicate to your Lordship what passed
at our last Session of Assembly concerning the Church in this Provence. The
ill behaviour of some of our Clergy seemed to point out to the Assembly the
necessity of some plans of Church Government, in order to bring them to an
account for this misbehaviour. Immediately they [took] that matter into consid-
eration, and formed an act to the following purpose, viz' : That after such a
I768.J 338
day the Governor, 3 Clergymen, & 3 Laymen, should be constituted a spirit-
ual court. That any Clergy man that was guilty of any acts or act of immor-
ality, or should be 30 days absent from his Parish at one time, should be
suspended from preaching and be deprived of his living. No one disputed
the necessity of having some power to call irregular Clergymen to an account ;
but as this was a presbyterian form of ministers and ruling lay Elders, and
laying a foundation for a presbyterian Government in the Church of England
in Maryland, as well as subversive of the canons of the Church, which give
the Bishop alone power to pronounce sentense in such cases, it alarmed all
such of the Clergy as were true of the Church of England. However, the
Bill passed the lower and upper houses of Assembly, and was sent to the
Governor. He refused to pass it at that time, having had no instructions
concerning such a matter from home. I need not take up your Lordship's
time in pointing out the evil tendency such a law (if it was passed) would
have upon the Church in this provence, as it would be establishing Presbyteri-
anism in this Colony upon the neck of the Church, and an effectual Bar to the
introduction of Episcopacy, which is generally wished for by the Clergy of
this Provence. The Assembly declare they will push the Bill every Sessions
till they obtain it. As Governor Sharp (one of the best of men) is likely to
be recalled, and a new Governor sent over by Lord Baltimore, 1 would hum-
bly leave it to your Lordship's consideration whether it might not be necessary
for your Lordship, out of your great goodness, to procure some instructions
to the governors of this Provence from the Crown, in order to prevent them
from passing any Law concerning the Church in this Provence, that might be
dissonant from or contrary to the Discipline and Government of the Church
of England. Craving your Lordship's pardon for this trouble, I am, may it
please your Lordship,
Your Lordship's dutiful son and very humble servant,
HUGH NEILL,
Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Queen Anne
County, Maryland.
339 [1769-
Case of the Maryland Clergy, 1769.
The Members of the Lower house have not, as, I can learn, taken any
notice as yet of the question about pluralities, but have it in contemplation to
frame a Bill for restraining all beneficed Clergy here from being absent more
than two months in a year out of their respective Parishes, and for authoris-
ing the Governor, together with such three Clergymen and three laymen as
he may from time to time choose or appoint, to exercise a kind of visitorial
Jurisdiction over such Ministers as may be accused of any notorious and
scandalous behaviour ; but if such a Bill should be framed and pass the two
houses I shall, for my part, decline assenting thereto till'l can know his Lord-
ship's pleasure ; tho', indeed, the expediency of some restraint on the Clergy
cannot be denied.
That the Clergy of Maryland are better provided for than the Clergy in
any other Colony, and that they are less respectable, is not to be contro-
verted ; being subject even to less restraint than other men, they, in the same
proportion, are less guarded In their morals. I speak of their general charac-
ter, for there are some of the sacred order who are men of worth and merit.
Bills have been heretofore proposed for their regulation, but, as they were
calculated as well to diminish their dependance upon the Government, and to
extend the power of Juries, as to subject the Clergy to restraint, miscarried,
but, in the last Session, a Bill was sent to us from the lower house in no
sort liable to these objections, and so evidently tending to extend the powers
of Government, That I was as much surprised at its passage in the Lower
house as the opponents of the Bill were at its miscarriage with the Governor
A copy of this Bill our Clerk was ordered to transmit to you. I trust that
what I have said will not be understood as any reflection upon the Governor,
who (I know) as well as every Member of the Upper House, approved of the
Bill, for his Dissent proceeded from an apprehension that my Lord might pos-
sibly dislike the Bill, and yet be under some difficulty in rejecting it, an opinion
that if approved of by his Lordship it may pass at another time.
An additional supplementary Act to the Act entituled an Act for the
establishment of religious worship, &c., a copy of which you have enclosed ;
with one amendment it past the Upper House unanimously, but the Governor
1769.] 340
refused his Fiat to it, thinking it of too much consequence to be past without
his Lordship's particular instructions. The scandalous immorality of some of
our Clergy calls aloud for such a regulation. At present, when a Clergyman
is inducted, he becomes quite unaccountable & independent, and it seems to
be a great solecism in Government that a Body of men most liberally sup-
ported by the people should be under no kind of controul, for let their conduct
be ever so flagitous or contradictory to the end of their institution, there is
no power either of suspension or deprivation. You will observe that his
Lordship will derive very important powers from such a Bill, powers which
will add great weight to his Government ; whereas at present as soon as he
inducts his power totally ceases. I shall not presume to say that the Bill, as
it past the two houses, was in all its parts unexceptionable ; but what I am
recommending to his' Lordship is to consider it with attention, and, after mak-
ing such alterations or amendments as he shall think proper, to instruct his
Governor to pass it.
Rev. M''. CLAGETT to Lord Bishop of London.
(EXTRACT.)
Maryland, Sept. 20, 1769.
My Lord,
Since my arrival in this Province, I have observed with some concern that,
in a late Session of Assembly, a Bill was brought into the house for the better
regulating the lives and manners of the Clergy. By this Bill it was ordered
that an Ecclesiastical Court should be established, & that there should be
Judges appointed, three of which were to be laymen. The Bill passed both
houses of Assembly. But Governor Sharpe would not give his consent to it,
supposing (as we think) that such a Bill was contrary to the established
Rules of the Church of England.
It is now said that the advocates for the Bill will bring it in again next
Session, in hopes that our new Governor will be more favorable to their
scheme. Many of the Clergy here view it in a light derogatory to your
341 [1769.
Lordship's authorities in the Province, and tho' fully sensible that some such
regulation is much wanted, yet they think it ought to proceed from and be
directed by your Lordship. I doubt not but if this or any other Law, should
be enacted which the Clergy look upon as grevious, that a proper remon-
strance will be made to your Lordship by them, tho' they are now, by a
positive instruction of the Lord Baltimore to Governor Eden, forbid assembling
themselves together on any occasion whatever, a privilege they have
hitherto enjoyed. Your Lordship's known care and zeal for the established
religion have emboldened me to make the foregoing remarks ; & if on any
future occasion I can be of the least service to your Lordship here, it will
always contribute to the happyness of, my Lord,
Your Lordship's, &c.,
THO^ JN°. CLAGETT.
M\ ADDISON to Lord Bishop of London.
Maryland, Ocf 24, 1769.
My Lord,
'Tis with difficulty, my Lord, that I can restrain myself from lamenting
(what the present instance, with others which daily occur, but too aptly fur-
nishes an occasion to do) the unhappy case of the Church of England here.
Far removed from her Bishops, deprived of Discipline which every other
denomination of christians can freely exercise, and delivered up, as it were,
bound in the hands of her enemies. But I ask your Lordship's Pardon, &
have done, well knowing that you feel but too sensibly for her distresses, and
that you are ever watchful of any occasion which Providence shall present for
their removal.
Humbly craving your blessing,
I remain, with all respect.
Your Lordship's, &c.,
H. ADDISON.
177I-] 342
The Rev. HUGH NEILL to the Rev. Dr. BURTON.
Queen Ann's County, July 18* 1771.
Rev° Sir,
After a long silence, it is with a great deal of pleasure I embrace this
opportunity of reviving my former correspondence when in the Service of the
Venerable Society, I hinted it in my last Letter to that Board, but I hoped it
would be one day in my power to make retaliation for the many instances
of their regard shewn me during a course of 16 years that I was their
missionary.
When I come first to Maryland I found many of the Clergy endowed with
very good livings, from thence concluded they might afford to become mem-
bers of the Society. This I moved at a General meeting of the Clergy at
Annapolis last Summer ; eight of us agreed immediately. The Rev"* D'.
Cooper, president of King's College, New York, upon a visit last fall, took
down our names, and in a Letter from him this Spring acquainted me he had
transmitted our names to the Society, and at the same time requested me to
acquaint my agent in London to pay you the premium upon admission. I
have, in a Letter bearing equal date with this, desired Mess" John Morton,
Jordon, and Company, Merchants in London, to wait upon you for that
purpose.
Many more of the Clergy here are very desirous to become Members
were there any person in this Province appointed to collect the annual pay-
ments, as they have no correspondence in London. The Upper and Lower
Houses of Assembly here are laboring hard to pass a Law to take away above
one half of our livings, the consequence of which will be the destruction, in a
great measure, of the Church of England in this province. At our last gen-
eral meeting we drew up addresses to the King, Archbishop of Canterbury
The Bishop of London, and Lord Baltimore, for an American Episcopate.
We addressed His Excellency our Governor upon the same Subject, laying
our papers before him, and praying his concurrence and interest with Lord
Baltimore to accomplish this salutary measure.
His Excellency received us very coldly, and let us know, by the advice no
doubt of his Council, that the Livings in Maryland were Donatives, and stood
343 [1775-
in no need of the aid of Episcopacy, &c. This casts a damp upon many.
The Addresses were continued over till our next meeting.
The assembly met soon after, and passed a Bill obliging the Clergy to
take 12^ per hundred from the planters, when Tobacco sold sometimes at 30^
■^ hundred, often at 25^
We have agreed to petition the Crown in case this Bill pass into a Law
next Sessions. The Crown has undertaken the determination of a Bill of a
similar nature, upon a petition from the Clergy of this province before.
We hope the venerable Society will interfere in our behalf in case we have
occasion to appeal home. I shall from time to time acquaint you with the
religious transactions of this province, as I have nothing more at heart than a
Union between the Clergy and Churches of these Southern Colonies and
those to the northward, and that Union firmly established by our connexion
with and dependence on our Spiritual Fathers and Brethren in Old England.
I am, your very aff'^ h'ble Serv',
HUGH NEILL,
Rector of S'. Paul's Parish,
Queen Ann's County.
To the Rev'^ Dr. Dan^ Burton.
A conjectural estimate of the amount of the annual Incomes
of all the Church Livings in Maryland^ as thev now are
and as they were before the passing of the late Law.
S'. George's, 1800 Taxables, at 4 per Taxable, amount to L. 360 currency,
which, allowing for the costs of collection & Insolvencies, may not exceed
L. 320, equal to ^^192 Sterling, heretofore communibus annis it was ;^250
Sterling.
1 775-]
344
Taxables.
Curr'y.
Steri'g.
St. John's, .
• 3.IOO
620 Z.
equal to ;£^372
With deduc'ns, ;^34o
It was ;^Soo
St. Thomas,
. 2, ICO
420
252
220
270
St. Paul's, .
• 2,150
43°
258
220
270
Queen Caroline, .
. 1,700
340
204
180
400
St. Margaret,
900
180
108
90
130
St. Anne's,
• 1,45°
290
174
150
250
All Hallows,
. 1,200
240
144
120
200
St. James, .
. 1,400
280
168
130
260
All Saints' .
• i>3So
270
142
120
170
Christ Church,
. 1,400
280
168
130
200
King & Queen,
. 1,600
320
192
160
200
All Faiths' .
. 1,400
280
168
130
160
St. Andrew's,
. 1,200
240
144
120
160
William & Mary,
• 1,45°
290
174
150
200
Durham,
. 1,100
220
132
no
15°
William & Mary,
. 1,400
280
168
130
200
Port Tobacco,
• 2,300
460
276
250
350
Trinity,
• i>5oo
300
180
15°
200
Prince George's,
• 3>5oo
700
420
350
500
All Saints',
• 5<°°°
1,000
600
500
500
Queen Anne's,
. 1,800
360
216
190
360
St. Paul's, .
• 1,650
33°
198
180
350
King George's,
. 2,400
480 ■
288
260
450
St. Mary Anne,
. 1,400
280
168
140
15°
St. Stephen's,
• 1,5°°
300
180
160
170
St. Augustine's,
• 750
150
90
75
75
St. Paul's, .
. 1,200
240
144
130
190
Chester,
• 1,250
250
150
130
200
Shrewsbury,
. 1,600
320
192
165
180
Christ Church,
800
160
96
80
120
St. John's, .
, 1,200
240
144
130
160
St. Paul's, .
■ 1,45°
290
1 75
150
200
St. Luke's, .
• 1, 3°°
260
156
140
180
St. Peter's,
• 1,450
290
175
15°
200
St. Michael's,
• i,5°o
300
180
15s
210
Dorchester,
. 1,200
240
144
130
160
Great Choptank,
. 1,800
360
216
200
290
St. Mary, Whitec
hapel, 2,000
400
240
210
250
Somerset, .
. 1,660
320
192
170
250
Stepney,
. 3,000
. 600
360
320
35°
Coventry, .
• 1,55°
330
198
160
200
All Hallows,
• 1, 5°°
300
180
155
190
Worcester .
. 1,400
280
168
150
180
345 - [1775-
List of Clergy and Livings- in Maryland.
COUNTIES and PARISHES in Maryland.
WESTERN SHORE.
Baltimore County. — Mem. This County is now divided ; the new one is
called Harford, after the new Proprietary. I think
S'. John's and S'. Paul's chiefly are in the old
County, as in Baltimore Town, the largest in the
Province.
S'. George's Parish, . . . William West.
S'. John's, ..... Hugh Deane.
S'. Thomas's, .... William Edmiston.
S'. Paul's, ..... Thomas Chase.
ANN ARUNDEL COUNTY.
Queen Caroline Parish,
S'. Margaret, Westminster,
S'. Anne's, . . . .
All Hallows,
S'. James, . . . .
James Macgill.
Daniel M'^Kinnon.
Thomas Lendrum.
David Love.
Walter Magowan.
CALVERT COUNTY.
All Saints' Parish, . . . Francis Lauder.
Christ Church, .... Thomas John Clagett.
ST. MARY'S COUNTY.
King and Queen's Parish. — Richard Brown. Some' years ago this strange
man was strangely persuaded to resign this
living (reserving to himself a small part of
the Stipend) to a M'. Goldie, who now holds
it.
1 775-]
346
All Faiths', .
S'. Andrew's,
William and Mary,
John Stephens.
Joseph Messenger.
Moses Tabbs.
CHARLES COUNTY.
Durham Parish,
William and Mary,
Port Tobacco,
Trinity,
Henry Fendall.
John M'^Pherson.
Thomas Thornton.
Isaac Campbell.
FREDERICK COUNTY.
Prince George's Parish,
All Saints, .
Alexander Williamson.
Bennet Allen.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.
Queen Ann's Parish,
S'. Paul's, .
King George's, .
Jonathan Boucher.
John Eversfield.
Henry Addison.
EASTERN SHORE.
CECIL COUNTY.
S'. Mary Anne Parish,
S'. Stephen's,
S'. Augustine's, .
William Thompson.
William Barroll.
Philip Reading.
S'. Paul's Parish,
Chester,
Shrewsbury,
KENT COUNTY.
Robert Reade.
John Patterson.
John Montgomery.
347 [1775-
QUEEN ANN'S COUNTY.
Christ Church Parish, . . . Hanna.
S'. John's, ..... John Andrews.
S'. Paul's, Hugh Neale.
S'. Luke's, ..... Samuel Keene.
TALBOT COUNTY.
S'. Peter's Parish, . . Jacob Henderson Hindman.
S'. Michael's, .... John Gordon,
DORCHESTER COUNTY.
Dorchester Parish, . . . Thomas Brown.
Great Choptank, . . Philip Hughes, D.D.
S'. Mary, Whitechapel, . . Philip Walker.
Somerset County. — Mem. This County is also now divided. Carolina is
the new one.
Somerset Parish, . . Hamilton Bell.
Stepney John Scott.
Coventry, ..... Samuel Sloane.
WORCESTER COUNTY.
All Hallows' Parish, . . . John Rosse.
Worcester John Bowie.
NOTES.
p. 8.
In 1682, and later still in 1690, mention is made of the Rev. Duell Pead as officiating at
All Hallows. It appears from the Journal of the Upper House of the General Assembly, cited
by Dr. Ethan Allen in his "Historical Notices of St. Ann's Parish," that he had been sent out
by the Bishop of London. He is not mentioned after 1691. In 1692, we learn from the same-
accurate authority, that there were four Church of England clergymen in MarylarLd': Mr.
Crawford, in St. Mary's, Mr. Moore, in Charles, Mr. Lillingstone, in Talbot, and Mr. Vander-
bush, in Cecil.
P. 13.
The Rev. Peregrine Coney, or Cony, — not Corry, as the transcriber hag rendered his
obscure signature, — came over with Gov. Nicholson in 1794. Dr. Allen gives a sketch of his
life in the interesting volume already quoted. The Rev. John Lillingstone' s reputation may
be inferred from the fact that the Rev. John Talbot, afterwards consecrated by the Non-Jurors,
recommends him for suffragan. Notices of him will be found in the Coll. of the P. E. Hist.
Soc, i., 42, 58.; Anderson's Col. Ch., iii., 72; Hawkins's Missions of the Ch. of Eng., 143;
Hawks's Maryland, 499, 501, 502, 520, 523. The Rev. Richard Sewell is referred to in the
"Acts of Dr. Bray's Visitation," reprinted as an appendix to Dr. Hawks's Maryland ; in Dorr's
Christ Ch.,*Phila., p. 418, and in various printed and MS. documents of his time. The Rev.
Stephen Bordley is mentioned by Keith in his Journal, P. E. Hist. Coll., i., 42, 46. The Rev.
Benjamin Nobbs and the Rev. George Tubman are referred to in the "Acts of Dr. Bray's
Visitation." The Rev. Hugh Jones, an Oxford "M.A.," subsequently removed to Virginia
and became a Professor of the College of WiUiara and Mary. His " Present State of Virginia,"
published in London, in 1724, is a work of interest and value. The Rev. Thomas Cockshute,
of All Saints', Calvert County, is mentioned in the "Acts of Visitation," already referred to,
and appears to have been a clergyman of reputation.
P. 54.
The Rev. John Sharp, afterwards chaplain at .New York, and a clergyman of character and
ability, labored for years in New York and New Jersey.
Notices of Dr. Bray's controversy with Gov. Nicholson appear in full in the Virginia
papers of this series.
35°
P. 55.
The Rev. William Tibbs will receive mention again and again in these pages.
P. S8.
Vide Hawks's Maryland, 120-123. The case of the Rev. Joseph Holt has escaped further
animadversion in the printed or MS. documents of the time, which are accessible. Bp. Meade
refers to him as temporarily supplying a parish in Virginia, and Anderson, in his " Colonial
Church," mentions his name.
P. 59-
Archdeacon Huitson, discouraged by the treatment related in the text, declined to accept
the appointment then tendered him. Dr. Hawks vigorously characterizes the scandalous oppo-
sition encountered by Dr. Bray in his zealous efforts for the exercise of godly discipline.
P. 63.
The Rev. Alexander Adams, whose ministry in Maryland extended over a half century,
will be frequently referred to in these pages.
P. 72.
A sketch of the Rev. Samuel Skippon is contained in Dr. Allen's Hist. Notices of St. Ann's
Parish, in Ann Arundel County, pp. 44-50.
P. 77.
The clergymen whose names are appended to this paper, with the exception of Messrs.
Sewell, Cockshute, Colebatch, Hall, White, and Owen, had been added to the number of resi-
dent clergy since the visitation of Dr. Bray, in 1700.
The Rev. Joseph Colebatch was prevented, by a writ of ne exeat, from going to England
to be consecrated Suffragan Bishop in 1727. Vide Hawks's Maryland, 196, and -Allen's St.
Ann's Parish, 40, 41. The Rev. Jacob Henderson succeeded the Rev Henry Hall as Commis-
sary of the Bishop of London. The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson also held this appointment.
The Rev. Thomas Baylye served, with little credit to the Church, in Virginia and North Carolina
as well as Maryland. Of the Rev. Jonathan Cay, notices will be found again and again in these
pages. The names of the Rev. John Donaldson and the Rev. James Williamson will appear in
an unfavorable light as we proceed. The Rev. Henry NichoUs is referred to in the Pennsyl-
vania papers of this series. Of the Rev. Henry Jennings nothing further is known. The Rev.
John Fraser removed to Maryland from Virginia, where he had come in 1701. The Rev.
Thomas Thompson was one of several clergymen of that name who labored respectively in New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia. The Rev. Robert Scott came to Maryland in
1708. The Rev. Daniel Maynadier was of a Huguenot family, and died in 1745, leaving a son
in Holy Orders of the same name. Of the Rev. William Machonchie we shall learn further as
we proceed.
351
P. 91.
The Rev. Thomas Howell's name appears on the clergy-list prefixed to the "Acts of Dr.
Bray's Visitation," in 1700.
P- 93-
Nothing appears, other than the references in this volume, with regard to the Rev. George
Irvine, or Irvin, as the name is elsewhere spelled.
P. 120.
The Rev. Giles Rainsford subsequently removed to North Carolina. Dr. Hawks, in his
History of that State, refers to him as follows: ii., 292, 329, 332, 333, 353, 370, 372, 386, 387.
P. 122.
The name of the Rev. Dr. Evan Evans, of Brasenose College, Oxford, is inseparably
connected with the history of the Cliurch in Pennsylvania.
P. 126.
The Rev. Peter Tustian came to Maryland from South Carolina. Vide Dalcho's History
of the Church in that State, 248, 346.
P. 128.
The Rev. Leigh Massey afterwards removed to Virginia. Vide Meade's Old Churches,
etc., i., 174; ii-. 225-227, 247.
P. 129.
The Rev. Thomas Robinson became Master of the Grammar School of William and Mary
College, and is frequently noticed in the Virginia papers of this series. The Rev. Alexander
Williamson will be noticed again in this volume. The Rev George Ross labored in Pennsylva-
nia and Delaware as well as Maryland. Vide Pennsylvania and Delaware papers of this series.
Of the Rev. Thomas Phillips this volume affords all the information within our reach.
P. 189.
For further notice of the Rev. James Cox, vide Meade's Old Churches, etc., i., 192, 240.
P- 233-
A clergyman of the name of Barrett is referred to by Bp. Meade in his Old Churches, etc.,
i., 401-
P. 236.
The author of this letter finally wandered to North Carolina, where he was burned to
death in 1732. He was a man of dissolute life.
352
P. 237.
The illegible word was doubtless "Episcopal," or possibly "non-juring" Orders. Vide
Dr. Hill's History of the Church in Burlington, N. J.
P. 250.
The Rev. John Humphreys came to Maryland from Chester, Pennsylvania. Vide the
Pennsylvania papers of this series. Also, Dorr's History of Christ Church, Philadelphia, 44,
51, 414, 415 ; Allen's St. Ann's Parish, 50-77, etc.
P- 255-
The Mr. Smith may have been the Rev. Syraoii Smith, at one time chaplain to the forces
in New York (vide Miller's Description of New York; Hist. Mag., V., 189) ; or the Rev. Guy
Smith, of Virginia, referred to in the P. E. Hist., See. Coll., i , 38, 97; and Meade's Old
Churches, etc., ii., 393, 412. Vide the Virginia papers of this series.
P. 26r,
The Rev. Dr. Allen, in Sprague's Annals of the American Episcopal Pulpit, speaks in
eulogistic terms of the Rev. John Eversfield. Vide Sprague's Annals, 252.
P. 264.
Of the Rev. Stephen Wilkinson, William Cawthren, Thomas Fletcher, Thomas Airy, and
James Macgill, further notices will occur as we proceed. Dr. Sprague, in his Annals, notices
the romantic career of the last named clergyman.
P. 283.
No references to the Rev. Thomas Fletcher, other than those which this volume contains,
have come to our notice.
P. 297.
The Rev. Theodore Edgar appears to be the clergyman Dr. Allen, in his Hist. Notices of
St. Ann's Parish, speaks of as the Rev. Samuel Edgar, pp. 63-4.
P. 300.
The Rev. John Lang had lately removed from Virginia. Vide Meade's Old Churches
etc., i., 385-6, and the Virginia papers of this series. The Rev. Esdras T. Edgard may have
been the Rev. Mr. " Edyard " referred to by Bp. Meade in his second volume, p. 186.
P. 302.
Nothing further is known of the Rev. Mr. Wright, referred to in this connection.
353
P- 303-
The new names are those of the Rev. William Wye, who came to Maryland from Virginia
{vide Meade, ii., 467); and the Rev. Thomas Dell, also from Virginia ijjide Meade, i., 258,
and the Virginia papers).
P. 306.
A Rev. Mr. Murdock is referred to by Meade, "Old Churches," etc., i., 467.
P. 313-
The Rev. Water Hacket had served in Pennsylvania ere coming to Maryland. Vide the
Pennsylvania papers, and also Dorr's Christ Church, 420, and Anderson's Colonial Church, i.,
493-
P. 314.
Notices of the Rev. Arthur Holt occur frequently in the following pages.
P. 318-
The Rev. Thomas Chase subsequently became rector of St. Paul's, Baltimore.
P. 326.
Notices of the Rev. Thomas Bacon, one of the most estimable of the Maryland clergy,
occur in Hawks's Maryland, in Sprague's Annals, and in the various works illustrating the
history of the Church or Commonwealth of Maryland. This clergyman compiled the Laws of
Maryland (Annapolis, 1765), and also published "Four Sermons upon the Great and Indispen-
sable Duty of all Christian Masters and Mistresses to bring up their Negro Slaves in the Knowl-
edge and Fear of God" (London, 1750), with two additional sermons (London, 1751), and
also "Two Sermons Preached to a Congregation of Black Slaves" (London, 1749).- The
Sermons to Masters and Servants were republished at Winchester, Va., by Bishop Meade, who
speaks in his Old Churches, etc., of this excellent clergyman. Vide also Sabine's Dictionary of
Books relating to America, vol. i., p. 360.
P- 330-
Of the Rev. Hamilton Bell and the Rev, Patrick Glasgow, notices will be found in Allen's
Maryland Clergy and "Maryland Notices," and in Webster's Presbyterian Church, 438, 469.
P- 332.
The Rev. Henry Addison is referred to in Sabine's Loyalists, i., 154; Allen's Md. Clergy,
5, 9; the "Fairfaxes in England and America," 167-8-9; and in the Virginia papers.
P- 333*
Nothing further is known of the career of this unhappy man.
354
Pp- 336-7-
The additions are as follows : the Rev. Andrew Lendrum {vide Allen's Hist. Notices of
St. Ann's Parish, 60, 67), the Rev. Hugh Deane, the Rev. Thomas Cradock (vide Church
Review, viii., 302-312 ; Sprague's Annals, ii 1-117 ; Allen's Hist. Notices St. Ann's, 66, etc.) ;
the Rev. William West {vide Allen's Maryland Notices, saepe; Sprague's Annals, 208-211;
Perry's Hist. Notes and Documents, saepe, etc., etc.); the Rev. Bennet Allen {vide Allen's St.
Ann's Parish, Maryland Clergy, and "Notices" ; Sabine's Loyalists, i., 397, etc.); the Rev.
David Love {vide Allen's "Notices" and Maryland Clergy); the Rev. William Edminston
{vide KWtn's St. Ann's Parish, 78-80, etc.); the Rev. William Brogden {vide Sprague's Annals,
35, 85-88) ; the Rev. William Dowie {vide P. E. Hist. Coll., 114) ; the Rev. John McPherson,
afterwards "D.D." {vide Am. Hist. Record, i., 23, and Allen's "Notices," "Md. Clergy,"
and St. Ann's Parish); the Rev. Thomas Thornton {vide Am. Archives, Series IV., iii., 9, 10;
P. E. Hist. Soc. Coll., i., 113, etc.); the Rev. Isaac Campbell {vide Allen's Md. Notices, 8,
12) ; the Rev. Richard Brown, M.D. {vide Allen's Md. Clergy, 5, 10) ; the Rev. Robert Ranney
or Renney {vide P. E. Hist. Soc. Col., i., 119); the Rev. John Stephens {vide Allen's Md.
Clergy and Notices, Am. Hist. Rec, i., 23; P. E. Hist. Soc. Coll., i., 117); the Rev. Moses
Tabbs {vide subsequent reference in this vol., p. 346); the Rev. Francis Lauder {vide Allen's
"Notices" and Md. Clergy); the Rev. Philip Hughes, afterwards "D.D." {vide AXltn's Md.
Clergy; Penna. Hist. Society's republication of Braddock's Expedition, p. 377); the Rev.
Robert Reade {vide Meade's Old Churches, etc., i., 358-9; the "Virginia Papers," etc.);
the Rev. Mr. McCallum; the Rev. Francis Walker {vide Allen's "Notices" and Md. Clergy);
the Rev. John Barclay {vide Virginia Papers, and Meade's Old Churches, i., 484); the Rev.
John Gorden {vide Am. Archives, Series IV., ii., 682, also the Virginia papers); the Rev.
Samuel Howard, and the Rev. Thomas Alkin {vide P. E. Hist. Soc. Coll., i., 114); the Rev.
Hugh Neil {vide Dr. Buchanan's Oxford Parish, 27-31; Sprague's Annals, 158-9); Bolton's
Westchester Church, 494, etc.); the Rev. Samuel Keene, afterwards "D.D." {vide Sprague's
Annals, Allen's St. Ann's Parish, etc.); the Rev. Samuel Sloan {vide Allen's "Notices" and
Md. Clergy) ; the Rev. Matthew (or Matthias) Harris {vide Hist. Mag., iv., 237 ; P. E. Hist.
Soc. Coll., i., 113); the Rev. Mr. Forrester, and the Rev. Arthur Hamilton {vide the Virginia
papers, and Meade's Old Churches, etc., i., 192, 323, 325, 374); the Rev. William BarroU
{vide Sprague's Annals, 9, 12, 13); and the Rev. Joseph Mather, a graduate of the Coll. and
Acad, of Phila. [vide Penna. papers).
P. 340.
The Rev. Thomas John Claggett, afterwards D.D., and first Bishop of Maryland, needs no
notice at our hands.
P. 346.
Notices of the Rev. Daniel McKinnan, the Rev. Walter McGowan, the Rev. Richard
Brown, the Rev. George Goldie, the Rev. Joseph Messenger, the Rev. Henry Fendall, the Rev.
Jonathan Boucher, clarum et venerabile pomeh, the Rev. William Thompson, afterwards " D.D.,"
the Rev. Philip Reading, the Rev. John Patterson, the Rev. John Montgomery, the Rev. Wil-
355
liam Hanna, the Rev. John Andrews, afterwards " D.D.," the Rev. Jacob Henderson Hindman,
the Rev. John Ross, and the Rev. John Bowie, will be found in Allen's Md. Clergy, and
Notices. The compiler of these and other invaluable authorities on the History of thd Church
in Maryland adds to exactness in detail and reference the art of compressing much informa-
tion in little bulk.
THE END.
INDEX
Abbott, Mr. Samuel, Sr., vestryman, i8.
Abjuration, oath of, 173.
Acot, Mr. John, vestryman, 14.
Act authorizing a Court with visitatorial power,
337-343-
Act for confirming titles of lands given to churches,
etc., 147-15 1.
Act for free schools, 164-169.
Act for reducing the quantity of tobacco, referred
to, 262-270 ; the Act itself, 270-280 ; case of the
clergy on the, 284-287 ; referred to, 299, 326, 327.
Act for securing parochial libraries, 158-160. Vide
Parochial Libraries.
Act for the encouragement of learning, 171-177.
Act for the establishment of religious worship, 231,
243, 259, 262, 265.
Act for the disposal of church revenues in time of
vacancy, 231.
Act for the publication of marriages, 160, 161, 231.
Act for the support of a regular clergy, 9.
Acts of the Assembly for the service of Almighty
God, 2, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40 ; opinion
on, 40, 41 ; copy of, 41-48, 49, 50 ; referred to,
55, 57, 82.
Act of Toleration, 38.
Act regulating the taxes where the parish is vacant,
156-158. ■
Act to confirm lands devised for the use of the
Church, 177-178.
Act to defray charges of parishes, 151-153.
Act to prevent the growth of Popery, 170, 171.
Act to prevent unlawful marriages, 162, 163.
Act to regulate the bounds of parishes, 154-156.
Adams, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 17.
Adams, Rev. Alexander, letters of, 63, 64 ; signs
letter of clergy, 91 ; referred to, 172 ; signs let-
ters of clergy, 241, 264, 267, 268, 300 ; letters of,
326-329 ; signs clergy letter, 330 ; referred to,
336 ; signs address, 300.
Adams, Rev. James, sick, 295.
Addison, John, Esq., vestryman, 15 ; Col., 165.
Addison, Rev. Henry, letters of, 332-^34; referred
to, 336 ; letter of, 341 ; referred to, 345.
Advowsons, 180.
Aikin, Rev. Mr., 337.
Airey, Rev. Thomas, signs petitions, 264, 267, 268 ;
at visitation, 295 ; signs address, 300 ; at visita-
tion, 303, 305, 328, 329 ; signs letters of clergy,
330.
Allen, " one," refused recommendation for Orders,
3".
Allen, Rev. Bennet, 336, 346.
All Faith Parish, St. Mary's and Charles Counties,
referred to, 14, 15, 315, 317, 344, 346 ; queries
respecting, 197, 198.
All Hallows Parish, Ann Arundel Co., 93, 344, 345.
All Hallows Parish, Worcester Co., 344, 347.
All Hallows, Somerset Co., vestrymen of, 116, 117 ;
referred to, 215.
All Hallows-tide, 227.
All Saints Parish, 14, 93.
All Saints Parish, Calvert Co., answers respecting,
20, 27, 203 ; referred to, 344.
All Saints Parish, Frederick Co., 344, 346.
American Episcopate, need of, 342, 343.
Anabaptists, 204, 322.
Andrews, Rev. John, 347.
Andros, Sir Edmund, 19.
Annamessex Hundred, 19.
Annapolis, 25, 27 ; fine church in, 33 ; visitation
sermon in parish church of, 92 ; referred to,
137. 333. 342.
35«
Ann Arundel Co., parishes in, 15, 16 ; Quakers in,
20, 21 ; churches in, 33 ; purchase of land in,
52 ; school visitors of, 172, (town) 165.
Articles of Inquiry, delivered to churchwardens,
87 ; at visitations, 96-99, 126, 127.
Articles XXXIX., 97.
Ashew, Mr. Philip, vestryman, 19.
Ashman, George, a burgess, 28.
Askue, Mr. Charles, vestryman, 15.
Astry, Rev. Dr. Francis, letter to, II2, 113.
Athanasian Creed omitted, 328.
Atwood, Peter, a Jesuit, 252.
Bacon, Rev. Thomas, letters of, 324-326 ; referred
to, 328.
Baltimore County, parishes in, 16, 17 ; Quakers in,
21 ; school visitors in, 172.
Baltimore, Lord, 12, 27, 34, 52, 64, 84, 91; letter of,
99; referred to, in, 112, 120, 121; letter to, 122,
123 ; referred to, 125, 138 ; grant to, 178-187 ;
referred to, 230, 266, 268, 269, 280, 281; letter of,
282 ; referred to, 284, 285, 286, 299, 326, 328, 330,
338, 341.
Banns of marriage, 127, r6o, 161, 162, 163.
Baptismal covenant, 134.
Baptism, neglect of, 73.
Baptism of negroes, 306, 307, 316, 317.
Barbadoes, 314, 315.
Barclay's apology, 322.
Barclay, Rev. Mr., 337.
Barnes, Isaac, schoolmaster, 215.
Barrett, John, churchwarden, 93 ; dead, 95.
Barret, Rev. Mr., conduct of, 233.
Barroll, Rev. William, 337, 346.
Bartcroft, Mr. John, vestryman, 14.
Barton, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 14, 15.
Basstene, "in the Christophers," 213.
Baylye, Rev. Thomas, signs letter of clergy, 77 ;
irregular conduct of, 107, 113.
Beale, John, Esq., 172.
Beal, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 14.
Beal, Ninia, a burgess, 28.
Bell, Rev. Hamilton, signs clergy letter, 330; re-
ferred to, 336, 347.
Belt, Col. Joseph, 173.
Belt, John, Quaker meeting at the house of, 21.
Bennet James, 258.
Bennet, Mr. John, vestryman, 16.
Berry, Andrew, churchwarden, 95.
Bigger, John, 165.
Bishop, need of, 80, 138 ; provision for, 138, 139 ;
need of, 232, 238, 239, 247 ; two to be sent, 245 ;
need of, 326, 327, 334, 342, 343.
Blackstone, Col. Nehemiah, vestryman, 14.
Bladen, W., clerk of the Assembly, 7, 23, 25, 27, 68,
69, 70, 71, 72.
Blair, commissary, 58, 243.
Blakistone, Col. Nathaniel, instructions to, 29 ;
letters of, 30, 31, 32 ; referred to, 53.
Bland, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 16.
Blay, Edward W., a burgess, 28.
Blay, Mr. Edward, vestryman, 17.
Bohemia Hundred, 17.
Bohemia River, 320.
Bomer, Francis, churchwarden, 321.
Boothby, Edward, a burgess, 28, 165.
Bordley, Rev. Stephen, signs letter of Maryland
clergy, 13.
Bordley, Thomas (son of Stephen), 82 ; letter of,
253, 254 ; referred to, 255, 256.
Boroman, Major Wm., Romish chapel at the place
of, 21.
Boucher, Rev. Jonathan, 346.
Bounds, Mr. John, vestryman, 19.
Bowdle, Mr. Thos., vestryman, 18.
Bowing at the name of Jesus enjoined, 98.
Bowler, James, Esq., 172.
Bozman, John, a burgess, 28.
Bozman, Mr. Thomas, 172.
Bradford, Col. John, 173.
Bray Hundred, 18.
Bray, Rev. Dr. Thomas, commissary, 13, 30, 31, 32,
33; memorial of, 51, 52; referred to, 54; letter
of, 55, 56 ; memorial of, 57-63 ; referred to, 200,
207, 228, 261, 269, 317.
Briggs, Mr. Seth, vestryman, 16.
Broad Neck Parish, 15, 16.
Brogden, Rev. Mr., 336.
Brooke, Mr. President Thos., letter of, 121, 122 ;
letter of clergy to, 122 ; referred to, 71, 124 ; let-
ter of, 125.
Brook, Robert, a Jesuit, 21.
Brown, David, a councillor, 28.
Brown, Joseph, churchwarden, 94.
Brown, Morgan and Eliza, Quakers, 22.
Brown, Mr. Gustavus, 172.
Brown, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 14.
Brown, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 16.
Brown, Rev. Richard, 345.
Brown, Rev. Thomas, 336, 347.
Brown's Branch, 18.
Bruard, James, Papist, 23.
359
Buchanan, George, vestryman, 309.
Buckner, William, 309.
Burgess, Mr. Edw., vestryman, 16.
Hurley, Vim., a lay brother, 21.
Burne, Thomas, churchwarden, 94.
Burnet, Gov., 236, 237.
Burnet's (Bp.) pastoral care, 233.
Burton, Wm., a burgess, 28.
Sutten, Mr. John, vestryman, 19.
Cagen, " one," 23.
Calvert, Cecilius, Baron of Baltimore, 178.
Calvert County, parishes in, 14, 21 ; land in, given
to minister, 24 ; school visitors in, 172.
Calvert, Hon. Charles, governor, 173 ; confirms
School Act, 177 ; letter of, and reply, 188, 189 ;
letters of, 249, 252, 255, 256.
Calvert, Mr. Edward, 112.
Calvert, Sir George, knight, 178.
Campbell, Major John, vestryman, 14.
Campbell, Rev. Isaac, 336, 346.
Canada, French from, 37, 38.
Canonical hours of marriages, 97, 127.
Canons, adherence to the, enjoined, 294.
Canons and Constitutions, ecclesiastical, 97 ; im-
practicable in Maryland, 102, 104.
Canon the LIX., observance of, enjoined, 296, 299.
Canterbury, Archbishop of, letters to, 2, 3, 26, 30,
31, 32 ; reference to, 56, 165, 237.
Cape Charles, 179.
Captain General, proclamation of the, 24, 25.
Carolina County, 347.
Carter, Mr. John, justice of the peace, 258, 295.
Carter, Mr. Philip, vestryman, 19.
Catechetical instruction, 134.
Catechising in Philadelphia, 53.
Catechising, igi, 193, 194, 196, 198, 199, 201, 203, 205,
207, 209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 219, 221, 222, 224, 226,
227, 230, 262, 292, 304, 305, 306, 307, 316, 317, 320.
Catechism, 96, 97, 98, 99, 134 ; to be taught, 127.
Cawthren, Rev. William, signs petitions, 264, 267,
268 ; at visitation, 297 ; signs address, 300 ; at
visitation, 306, 307.
Cay, Rev. Jonathan, signs letter of clergy, 77, 120 ;
at visitation, 94 ; character of, 128 ; referred to,
130, 135, 172 ; signs address, i8g ; answers
queries, 195, 196 ; signs address, 235 ; at visita-
tion, 298 ; signs address, 300.
Cecil County, parishes in, 17 ; school visitors of,
172, 173-
Chairs, Mr. John, vestryman, 18.
Chalice of silver, 98.
Chalmers, Rev. Dr. George, rector of Hood, 206.
Chambers, Richard, vestryman, 19.
Chandler, Rev. Dr. Thos. Bradbury, letter of, 334,
335.
Chapels of ease, 150.
Charles County, parishes in, 15 ; referred to, 21, 23,
24 ; school visitors of, 172.
Charleton, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 14.
Charter, the, of Maryland, 178-187, 243.
Chase, Rev. Thomas, 336, 345.
Chesapeake Bay, 179, 313, 319.
Cheseldyn, Mr. Kenelm, vestryman, 14 ; speaker of
House of Burgesses, 28 ; referred to, 165.
Chester, Kent Co., 344, 346.
Chester, Penna., 250, 251.
Chester River, 18, 23, 318 ; town, 319.
Chew, Samuel, Quaker meeting at the house of, 20.
Christ Church, Boston, 236.
Christ Church, Calvert Co., answers respecting,
195, 196.
Christ Church parish, Calvert Co., 14, 24, 94, 344
345-
Christ Church parish, Kent Island, answers re-
specting, 213-215 ; representation of vestry of,
256, 258 ; visitation at, 288-297.
Christ Church parish. Queen Ann's Co., 344, 347.
Christ Church, Philadelphia, services at, 236, 237.
Christenings, etc., 11.
Christmas sacrament at Annapolis, 73.
Christophers, the, 213.
Church Catechism (see Catechism), 96, 97, 98, 99, 134.
Church in Maryland, memorial representing the
present state of the, 34-40.
Churches, tax for the building of, 5 ; several,
building, 13 ; built throughout the province, 36.
Church Plate, 157.
Churchyards, 149.
Churchwardens, to be elected, 46, 47 ; law of Eng-
land respecting, 50 ; choice of, 144, 146 ; to be
chosen on Easter Monday, 98 ; oath of, 99 ; ex-
penses of, 105 ; free ferriage for, 105 ; articles of
inquiry to, 126, 127.
Cilbeek, Philip, schoolmaster, 220.
Citations to be served, 105.
Claggett, Rev. Thos. John, letters of, 340, 341 ;
living of, 345.
Clandestine marriages, Act to prevent, 162, 163.
Clark, Philip, a burgess, 28.
Clayton, Mr. William, 172.
Clement's hundred, 13.
36o
Clegat, Capt. Thomas, vestryman, 14; gift of to
minister, 24.
Clement's Town, Romish chapel at, 22.
Clerical support in Maryland, 323, 334, 335.
Clergy, case of the (on the Tobacco Act), 284-287 ;
in 1769, 339-341-
Clergy in Episcopal Orders in 1694, 8, 9 ; in 1700,
37 ; ill lives of many of, 79, 81, 83.
Clerk, parish and vestry, maintenance of, 9, 42 ; to
be of sober life and to be licensed, 98.
Clouds, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 14.
Cockshott, Rev. Thomas, signs letter of the Mary-
land clergy, 13, 77 ; at visitation, 93 ; appointed
Proctor, 95, 96; referred to, in; signs letters,
122, 123.
Colebatch, Rev. Joseph, signs letter of clergy, 77 ;
sick, 93 ; signs letters, 122, 123 ; character of,
128 ; referred to, 130, 172, 242 ; not suffered to
go to England by a ne exeat, 269 ; at visitation,
297 ; signs address, 300.
Colebourn, Mr. Wm., vestryman, ig.
Colgrave (or Colgreve), Rev. James, ordination of,
333. 334-
Collins, Thomas, Papist, 23.
CoUyer, Mr. Robert, vestryman, 19.
Commissaries, letter of Lord Baltimore to, 99.
"Commodore," the ship, 53.
Common Prayer, use of the Book of, 39, 40, 41-48,
49. 50, 74. 75.
Communion carpet and linen wanting at Christ
church, Kent, 214, 219, 228.
Communion plate of pewter, at St. Paul's, Balti-
more, igi; at All Faith parish, 198 ; elsewhere,
199, 212, 219, 224, 228, 230.
Communion table, 127.
Congreve, alias Colgrave or Colgreve, 333, 334.
Conner, Mr. Philip, vestryman, 17.
Constitution and Canons referred to, 173.
Cood, Capt. John, vestryman, 14.
Cooper, Rev. Dr. Myles, 342.
Copley, Gov., 9, 34, 64, 65.
Coppage, Mr. John, vestryman, 17.
Corban, Mr. Nicholas, vestryman, 16.
Cordea, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 17.
Corry, Rev. Peregine, signs letter of Maryland
clergy, 13 ; referred to, 165.
Coursey, Henry, 165.
Coursey, Wm., a burgess, 28 ; member of the coun-
cil, 71.
Courts, Col. John, vestryman, 15.
Coverings for Communion table, 97.
Coventry Parish, Somerset, 19 ; answers respecting,
220, 221 ; referred to, 344, 347.
Cowley, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 18.
Cox, Rev. James, signs address, 189 ; referred to,
233 ; signs petitions, 264, 267, 268, 300 ; at visi-
tation, 296, 303, 305.
Cradock, Rev. Thomas, 336.
Crawford, James, a burgess, 28.
Creeds, people to stand up at the, 98.
Curer, John, signs petition for a minister, 85.
Cutler, Rev. Dr. Timothy, 236.
Davies, Capt. John, vestryman, 18.
Deacons, Mr. John, churchwarden, 92.
Deane, Rev. Hugh, 336, 345.
Deists, Pennsylvania, in Maryland, 321.
Delaware Bay, 179.
Dell, Rev. Thomas, at visitation, 303, 305.
Denmark, Princess of, bounty of the, 37.
Dent, Capt. John, vestryman, 14. '
Dent, Mr. George, 172.
Dent, Mr. William, attorney, 15, 28, 69, 165.
Denton, Henry, clerk of the council, 7, 20, 24, 27.
Denton, Vachet, 177.
Discipline, lack of, 73 ; query concerning the exer-
cise of, 75, 98, 127 ; answer of clergy, 76, 77.
Dissenters, Protestant, 8, 20-23, 34. 80, 147, 148.
Division of parishes, 258, 259, 260, 269, 328.
Dixon, Thomas, a burgess, 19, 28, 94.
Donaldson, Rev. John, signs letter of clergy, 77 ;
character of, 128 ; referred to, 130 ; signs ad-
dress, 1B9 ; answers queries, 192, 193 ; character
of, 233 ; signs address, 235 ; conduct of, 241, 242 ;
signs petitions, 264, 267, 268, 300 ; at visitation,
298.
Donatives, livings in Maryland, 342.
Doncaster town, Romi.sh chapel at, 22.
Dorchester county, 22 ; parishes in, 18, ig ; school
visitors of, 172.
Dorchester parish, Dorchester county, 229-231, 344,
347-
Dorsey, Col. John, 172.
Dorsey, Edward, a burgess, 28, 165.
Dowdall, Maj. John, 173.
Dowie, Rev. John, 336, 347.
Draper, Mr. Lawrence, vestryman, 16.
Durham, Bishop of, 180.
Durham, deanery of, referred to, 206.
Durham, James, churchwarden, 95.
Durham parish, Charles county, 94, 209-211, 344,
346.
36i
Eager, Mr. George, vestryman, i6.
Eagle, Mr. Robert, vestryman, i6.
Eagleston, John, churchwarden, 309.
Earle, Mr. James, Sr., 173.
Easter Monday, churchwardens to be chosen at, 98.
Easter Tuesday, 227.
Ecclesiastical court, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341.
Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, claim to, by the assembly,
247-249.
Eden, Governor, 341, 342, 343.
Edgard, Rev. Esdras Theodore, at visitation, 297,
306 ; signs address, 300.
Edinburgh, college at, 311.
Edmiston, Rev. William, 336, 345.
Elk Hundred, 17.
Elliott, George, Quaker, 23.
Elliot, William, 258.
Elms, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Elzey, Col. Peter, vestryman, 19, 283.
Ember Days, observance of, 97.
Emmett, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Ennalls, Thomas, 165.
Ennalls, Maj. Henry, 172.
Eriany, James, 258.
Ervin, Rev. George (see Irvine, Rev. George), re-
ferred to. III.
Establishment of the Church of England in Mary-
land, 2, 36.
Evans, Rev. Dr. Evan, character of, 53, 54 ; signs
letters, 122, 123 ; dead, 128 ; referred to, 135,
236, 237.
Evans, Richard, churchwarden, 92.
Everett, Philip and Barbara, Quakers, 23.
Eversfield, Rev. John, letter of, 261, 262 ; signs ad-
dress, 300 ; at visitation, 298, 306, 307 ; referred
to, 336, 345.
Exhortations to the Sacrament, 97.
Falconar, Mr., 107, 115.
Family worship enjoined, 292, 293.
Fasting days, observance of, 97, 134.
Fellowship of Sir Leolin Jenkins, 226.
Fendall, Rev. Henry, 345.
Ferry, John, a burgess, 28.
Festivals, observance of the, 237, 320,
Fexnleys, Mr. Henry, vestryman, 14.
Finney, Major Wm., vestryman, 18.
Fishbourne, Ralph, 22.
Fisheries, liberties of the, 184, 185.
Font at lower end of church, 97 ; wanting at All
Saints', Calvert, 203 ; elsewhere, 217.
46
Fletcher, Rev. Thomas, signs petitions, 264, 267, 268 ;
statement of, 283 ; referred to, 295 ; signs ad-
dress, 300 ; at visitation, 303, 304, 305.
Flosier, John and Rebecca, Quakers, 23.
Forrester, Rev. Mr., 337.
Fowkes, Mr. Gerard, vestryman, 15.
Franklin, Mr. John, vestryman, 20.
Eraser, Rev. James (John), signs letter of clergy, 77.
Frazier, Rev. John, at visitations, 94, 298, 306 ; signs
letter to commissary, 120 ; (Frazer) to Pres.
Brooke, 122 ; to Lord Baltimore, 123 ; character
of, 128 ; referred to, 130 ; signs address, 189 ;
answers queries, 205-207 ; signs address, 235.
Free schools founded in Maryland, i, 2, 3, 26, 27 ;
at Annapolis, 33, 195 ; very bad, 96 ; referred to,
148 ; act for, 164-169 ; tax on servants for, 170,
171.
Fridays in Lent, service on, 227.
Frisby, James, a counsellor, 28.
Frisby, Mr. William, member of the House of Bur-
gesses, 3, 28 ; vestryman, 17.
Fry, Edward, Quaker, 23.
Fulton, Mr. Edw., vestryman, 16.
Funeral sermons, 257.
Gale, Mr. Levin, 172.
Galloway's (Samuel) wife, 21.
Garit, Mr. Thomas, 173.
Gardner, Capt. Richard, vestryman, 15.
Garneyhill, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 15.
Garret, Mr. Amos, 70, 72.
George, Robert, Quaker, 23.
George, Samson, signs petitionJor a minister, 85.
Gewlich, Mr. Nicholas, Romish priest, 22.
Gibson, Bishop, 328, 331 (see Bishop of London).
Gilden, Mr. Charles, vestryman, 17.
Gillam, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Glasgow, Rev. Patrick, signs clergy list, 330.
Glebes, 23, 24, 127, 157, 191, 193, 196, 198, 200, 202,
205, 211, 212, 214, 215, 217, 221, 223, 224, 228.
Goldie, Rev. Mr., 345.
Goldsborough, Mr. Robert, 172.
Goodhand, Marmaduke, 258.
Gorden, Rev. Mr., 337.
Grainger, Christopher, 258.
Grainger, John, 258.
Gray, Miles, vestryman, 19.
Gray, Mr. Joseph, 172.
Great Choptank parish, Dorchester, 18, 19 ; answers
respecting, 217-220 ; referred to, 344, 347.
Greenberry, Nicholas, a counsellor, 28.
362
Greenfield, Col. Thomas Truman, 172.
Gresham, John, vestryman, 16 ; mayor of Annapolis,
92.
Grossfield, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 14.
Gurbret, Mr. Michael, vestryman, iS.
Guilford, Lord, referred to, 91, iii.
Hacket, Rev. Mr., referred to, 313.
Hall, John, a burgess, 28.
Hall, Mr. John, Romish priest, 22.
Hall, Rev. Henry, appointed commissary, 71 ; signs
letter of clergy, 77 ; refuses to act as commis-
sary, 82 ; at visitation, 93 ; articles against, 95,
96 ; referred to, loi, no, in ; dead, 133.
Hatton, Wm., a burgess, 28.
Hamilton, Mr. William, 172.
Hamilton, Rev. Mr., 337.
Hammond, Col. Thomas, 309.
Hammond, Mordecai, churchwarden, 92, 93.
Hammond, Mr. Charles, 172.
Hammond, Mr. Edw., vestryman, 20.
Hance, Mr. John, vestryman, 14.
Handcock, Thomas, schoolmaster, 215.
Hanna, Rev. Mr., 347.
Hanslop, Capt. Henry, vestryman, 16.
Hanson, Hans, a burgess, 17, 28.
Hanson, Mr. Robert, 172.
Hanson, Mr. Samuel, 172.
Harbert, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 15.
Hardisty, Francis, churchwarden, 93.
Hardy, Mr. Henry, vestryman, 15.
Harford county, 345.
Harvey hundred, 14.
Harris, James, Esq., 172.
Harris, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Harris, Rev. Mr., 337.
Harrison, Capt. Joseph, 172.
Harrison, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Harrison, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 15.
Hart, Gov. John, queries addressed by, to the
clergy, 74, 75 ; letter of, 77-79, 80-82 ; letter to,
84 ; referred to, 85, 100; letter to, loi; speeches
of, 102-105 ; referred to, loB, 109, iio-ii2, 113,
114, 115, 116, 119, 123, 124, 133.
Harness, Mr. Jacob, vestryman, 16.
Hatton, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 15.
Hawkins, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Hawkins, Mr. Henry, vestryman, 15, 28.
Hawton, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 15.
Hays, Mr. John, vestryman, 16.
Hayward, Ira, vestryman, 19.
Hayward, Mr., 22.
Head, Mr. William, churchwarden, 92.
Heigh, Mr. James, 172.
Hemsly, Mr. Vincent, sheriff, 70.
Hemsely, Wm., a burgess, 28.
Henderson, Rev. Jacob, signs letter of clergy, 77
letter of, 79, 80 ; recommended as commissary,
81; letter of, 82, 83 ; visitation of, 92-99; letter
to, 100, 101; referred to, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107;
letters of, 109-112, 112, 113 ; referred to, 113 ;
letter of, 114, 115 ; letter of to the Maryland
clergy, 118, 119; the clergy to, 119, 120; letter
of, 120, 121; letter to, 121, 122; letter of, 123, 124;
referred to, 125 ; character of, 128 ; referred to,
130; answers to queries, 131-139 ; school visitor,
173 ; referred to, 188 ; answers queries, 208, 209 ;
character of, 233 ; signs letter of clergy, 235 ;
referred to, 241, 245, 249 ; letter of, 242, 243 ;
goes home for consecration, 253, 254 ; offer of,
255 ; referred to, 261, 262, 270 ; signs petitions,
264, 267, 268 ; letters of, 280-282 ; visitations of,
288-299, 303-305 ; letters of, 300-303, 308-309,
310-313 ; referred to, 314, 321, 323, 329.
Henner, Col. C, vestryman, 17.
Hermon, Casper A., a burgess, 28.
Herring Creek Hundred, 15 ; parish, 15, 16.
Herring Creek meeting-house, 20.
Hewett, John, vestryman, ig, 165.
Hewett, Mr. John, clerk, 19.
Hicks, Thomas, a burgess, 28.
Hill, Phil., vestryman, 19.
Hillon, John, 309.
Hindman, Rev. Jacob Henderson, 347.
Hines, Thomas, vestryman, 309.
Hinson, John, a burgess, 28.
Hodson, Capt. John, 172.
Holbrook, Thomas, 283.
Holdbrook, Mr. Thos., vestryman, 19.
Holdsworth, Mr. Samuel, vestryman, 14.
Hollace, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Holland, Capt. Wm., vestryman, 16.
Holland, Colonel, 87.
Holy Communion, neglect of, 73. ,
Holy days and fasting days, observance of, 73, 97
134, 192, 195, 204, 208, 224, 227.
Hollyday, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 14.
Holt, "one" (Rev.), scandalous conduct of, 58, 59.
Holt, Rev. Arthur, letters of, 314-319.
Howell, Rev. Thomas, 172 ; signs letters, 91, 241 ;
conduct of irregular, 117, n8 ; character of,
129 ; answers queries, 217-220.
363
Homilies, Book of, 97, 227, 237.
Hooker, Mr. Francis, 20.
Hooper, Capt. Henry, 28, 172.
Hopkins, Mr. Philip, vestryman, 15.
Hopkins, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 16.
Horsey, Nath., vestryman, ig.
Hoskins, Philip, a burgess, 28.
Howard, Mr. Cornelius, vestryman, 16.
Howard, Rev. John, 337, 347.
Howe, Lord, 314, 316.
Hubbert, Richard, friar, 21.
Hughes, Rev. Dr. Philip, 336, 347.
Huitson, Rev. Michael, Archdeacon of Armagh,
chosen commissary, 59-62.
Humphreys, Rev. Dr., 316.
Humphreys, Rev. John, letters of, 250, 251; signs
petitions, 264, 267, 268, 300 ; letter of, 270 ; re-
ferred to, 281; at visitation, 297, 306.
Hungerford, Barton, churchwarden, 94.
Hunting Creek, 14.
Hunter, Wm., a Jesuit, 21.
Hutchins, Charles, a counsellor, 28, 165.
Hutchins, Francis, a burgess, 28.
Hutchison, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 15, 28.
Hyland, Nicholas, signs petition for a minister, 85.
Iliat, Peter, churchwarden, 94.
Incestuous marriages prohibited, 70 ; instance of,
107.
Independent Whig, the, 325.
Indians, 37, 38, 90, 206, 212, 218, 229.
Induction to parishes, 42, 58, 59, 72, 340,
Irish Servants, tax on, 170, 171.
Irvine, Rev. George, referred to, iii.
Island hundred, i8 ; Creek, 23.
Israel, John, churchwarden, 93, 95, 172.
Itinerants, 325.
Jackson, Mr. Edward, 173.
Jacobites, 236, 237, 243, 252.
James, Mr. Edw., vestrj'man, 17.
Jenckins, Francis, a burgess, 19, 28, 165.
Jenifer, M., clerk of Assembly, 177.
Jenkins, Sir Leolin, fellowship of, 226.
Jennings, Rev. Henry, signs letter of clergy, 77.
Jerret, Mr. Nich., vestryman, 16.
Jesus ' College, Oxford, missionary fellowship at,
226.
Jesuits, names of, in Charles county, 21; vast num-
bers of, 251, 252 ; referred to, 12, 78, 316, 320,
322, 331.
Jones, Evan, procurator, 95.
Jones, Mr. Henry, vestryman, 17.
Jones, Rev. Hugh, signs letter of Maryland clergy,
13 ; at visitation, 298, 306 ; referred to, 310 ;
letters of, 321-324, 331-332.
Johnson, Mr. Thomas, Jr., 173.
Johnson, Rev. Mr., 314, 318.
Jordan, Capt. Justinian, 172.
Jowls, Henry, a councillor, 28.
Judwin's Branch, 18.
Keddy, Nathaniel, Quaker, 23.
Keech, Mr. James, vestryman, 15.
Keene, Rev. Samuel, 337, 347.
Keith, Rev. George, labors of, 53, 54.
Keith, Sir William, 237.
Kent county, parishes in, 17, 18 ; Quakers and
papists in, 73 ; school visitors of, 172.
Kent Island parish, 17 ; vacant, 88.
Kent Island, vestry of, to the Bishop of London,
256-258.
Kimball, Rowland, churchwarden, 95.
King and Queen parish, St. Mary's county, 13, 14,
192, 193- 344, 345-
King George's parish. Prince George's county, 205-
207, 344, 346.
King, Obadiah, vestryman, 19.
King, Mr. Robert, 172.
Kingston, Duke of, 236.
King William's school at Annapolis, 165.
Kneeling in the prayers enjoined, 98, 127.
Knight, Mr. Steven, 173.
Ladd, Capt., 24.
Lamb, Charles, 236.
Lands for the use of the Church, act to confirm, 177,
178.
Lang, Rev. John, at visitation, 296 ; signs address,
300; referred to, 314.
Langworth's (Mr.) Branch, 13.
Lawder, Rev. Francis, 336, 345.
Lawrence, Col. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Lawrence, Sir Thomas, secretary of the Council, 2,
3 ; referred to, 27, 28 ; case of, 64-72 ; referred
to, 165.
Lawrence, Thomas, second son of the above, 71.
Lawson, John, schoolmaster, 215.
Lay brothers, return of priests and, 20-23.
Layfield, Mr. George, vestryman, 19.
Lay persons not to solemnize marriages, 141.
Lay-readers to be employed, 48, 145, 146.
364
Leech, Mr. John, Jr., vestryman, 14.
Lecturers, 127.
Lee, Philip, Esq., 252.
Lendrum, Rev. Thomas, 336, 345.
Lent fast, observance of, 97, igi, 194, 196, 199, 203,
227.
Leonard's Creek, 14 ; Quaker meeting-house near,
21 ; referred to, 172.
Letters of Orders asked for, 74, 76.
Leward Islands, 213.
Liberty of conscience enjoyed by Quakers, 38, 39,
41-
Licenses required for public houses, 64.
Lillingston, Rev. John, signs letter of Maryland
clergy, 13.
Livings, value of, 1775, 343, 344.
Llewellin, Mr. John, vestryman, 14.
Lloyd, Col. Edward, 227.
Lloyd, Philemon, Esq., 173.
Loch, William, Esq., 172.
Lockwood, Capt. Robert, vestryman, 16.
Locompt, John, vestryman, 19.
Lomax, Mr. Keyborne, vestryman, 15.
London, Lord Bishop of, referred to, 3 ; letter to, 8 ;
referred to, 32 ; suffragan of, to ordain, 33 ;
asked to send clergy, 36 ; referred to, 51, 57, 58-
60 ; letters to, 63, 72-73 ; jurisdiction of asserted,
74 ; schoolmaster to be licensed by, 74, 76 ;
letters to, 77-79, 79, 80, 80-82, 84, 85, 86, 87 ;
letter of, 88, 89 ; letter of clergy to, 89^91 ; the
ordinary, 98 ; reference to, 99 ; letters of, too ;
loi ;■ jurisdiction of, as diocesan, 102-105, 106,
108 ; letters to, 105, 106, 106-109, 109-112 ; letter
of, 113, 114; letter to, 114, 115; letter of, 115,
116; letters to, 116, 117, 117, 118; referred to,
119, 120, 121 ; queries of, 131-139 ; referred to,
188, 190, 192, 194, 195, 197, 199, 201, 202, 204, 206,
208, 210, 211, 213, 218, 222, 223, 225, 227, 229,
232 ; letter to, 234, 235 ; referred to, 237 ; letter
to, 238-241 ; referred to, 241, 243 ; letters td, 242,
243, 244-246, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251, 252, 254, 255,
256-258, 259, 264-267 ; referred to, 280, 298, 321;
address to, 299, 300 ; letters to, 300, 301, 302, 303,
308, 309, 310-316, 318, 319, 323, 324, 326-335, 337,
338, 340. 341-
Loockerman, Mr. Govert, 172.
Lord's day, duty of the clerks on the, 9.
Lord's Supper, frequent participation in the, by the
Philadelphia churchmen, 53.
Love, Rev. David, 336, 345.
Lower hundred of the Clifts, 14.
Lowe, Mr. Nich., vestryman, 18, 172.
Lumbolt, Ann, Quaker meeting at the house of, 21.
Machonchie, Rev. William, signs letter of clergy,
77 ; at visitation, 94 ; signs letter to Bishop of
London, 106 ; signs letter to commissary, 120 ;
to Pres. Brooke, 122; to Lord Baltimore, 123;
character of, 128 ; referred to, 13O, 135, 172 ;
signs address, 189; answers queries, 210, 211 ;
signs address, 235 ; conduct of, 242 ; signs peti-
tions, 264, 268, 300 ; at visitations, 297, 298, 306.
Mackall, Col. John, 172.
Mackall, Mr. Benjamin, 172.
Mackdonall, Edmund, papist, 23.
Macklin, Mr. Robert, vestryman, 18.
Macknamara, Thomas, Esq., 92 ; proctor, 114.
Magill, Rev; James, signs petitions, 264, 267, 268,
300; at visitation, 297, 306, 307 ; referred to, 328,
336. 345-
Magna Charta, 35.
Magowan, Rev. Walter, 345.
Magruthen, Mr. Samuel, vestryman, 14.
Manny hundred, 19.
Manning, Mr. John, vestryman, 14, 15.
Mariartee, Capt. Daniel, 172.
Marriage Fees, 42, 43, 161, 163.
Marriages, Canon relating to, log, 113 ; within the
prohibited degrees, 127, 140, 141, 144.
Marriage service of the Church to be used, i6i.
Marsden, Mr. Richard, 250.
Martin, John, churchwarden, 94.
Martin, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, i8.
Martin, Mr. Robert, 172.
Mason, Mr. Robert, vestryman, 14.
Massey, Rev. Leigh, 128, 130, 172 ; answers queries,
199, 200 ; sick, 298.
Mass-house, 320.
Mass, papists', referred to, 11.
Mather, Rev. Mr., 337.
Mattapany hundred, 20.
Mathews, Mr. Roger, vestryman, 15.
Mauldin, Francis, 14 ; signs petition for a minister
85.
Maynadier, Rev. Daniel, signs letter of clergy, 77,
91 ; character of, 129 ; signs addresses, 241, 264,
268 ; at visitation, 295, 303, 305 ; signs address!
300 ; referred to, 339.
McCallum, Rev. Mr., 337.
McPherson, Rev. John, 336, 345.
McTrevor, opinion of Mr., respecting act of Mary-
land Assembly, 40, 41
365
Merriken, Hugh, churchwarden, 93.
Merriman, Mr. Hugh, vestryman, 16.
Messenger, Rev. Joseph, 345.
Michael, Mr., schoolmaster, 195.
Middle Neck parish, 15, 16.
Miller, Mr. Michael, vestryman, 17.
Ministers, to be one of the vestry, 44, 74 ; to be
principal of the vestry, 44, 50, 75 ; articles of
inquiry respecting, 96, 97.
Missionary Fellowship at Jesus College, Oxford,
226.
Moale, John, vestryman, 309.
Monokin hundred, 19.
Montgomery, Rev. John, 346.
Moply, Mr. James, vestryman, 19.
Morris, Mr. Randall, 172.
Morton, Jordan & Co., Messrs., 342.
Mosquitoes, " a dreadful kind of insects," 261.
Mount Calvert hundred, 14.
Mulattoes, 190, 192, 195, 201, 203, 204, 206, 208, 210,
218, 229.
Murdock, Rev. George, 298 ; at visitation, 306.
Murphy, Capt. James, vestryman, 18.
Nantococke hundred, 19.
Narjemy parish, 15, 23.
Nearoakin, 22.
Ne Exeat, writ of, restraining Rev. Mr. Colebatch
from going to England, 269.
Negroes and mulattoes, 190, 192, 194, 195, 197, 201,
203, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 222, 224,
225, 229, 262.
Negroes, instruction of, enjoined, 292, 296, 299, 304,
305, 306, 307.
Negro slaves, tax on importation, 9, 10, II ; burials
of, not to be registered, 45.
Neil, Rev. Hugh, 337 ; letters of, 337, 338, 342, 343 ;
referred to, 347.
Newcastle, 83, 313.
Newtown hundred, 13.
New England, pretenders to preaching from, 8.
Newfoundland, 213.
New lights, 325.
Newport town, Romish chapel near, 21.
Nicholls, Mr. William, vestryman, 14.
Nicholls, Rev. Henry, letter from, 53, 54; signs
letters, 77, 91; sermon of, referred to, 108, 114;
character of, 129 ; referred to, 172 ; answers
queries, 226-229 ; signs letters of clergy, 241,
264, 267, 268 ; at visitation, 303, 305 ; referred
to, 314, 315, 319.
Nicholson, Gov. Francis, referred to, 2, 4, 8 ; letter
of, to Archbishop of Canterbury, 26 ; referred
to, 33, 34. 35. 54. 65. 71. 72. 164. 165. 166, 281.
Nobbs, Rev. Benjamin, signs letter, 10.
Noble, Mr. George, 173.
Non-jurors, 236, 237, 243.
Norris, Daniel, Quaker, 23.
North Elk River, petition of parishioners of, for a
minister, 84, 85, 86, 87.
Oath, churchwardens', 99.
Oath of abjuration, 171.
Oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and subscrip-
tions required of vestrymen, 44 ; of lay-readers,
48.
Oaths required of school visitors, 173.
Observance of rubrics, 127.
Ogle, Gov., 314.
Oldham, Mr. John, 172.
Olton Head, 14.
Omissions in the service, 127.
Onslow, Hon. Mr., 326, 328.
Oratories, 180.
Ordinance on public houses, 64.
Ordinary, clerks and schoolmasters to be licensed
by, 98.
Ornaments and requisites for churches and chapels
to be provided, 47.
Orphans to be educated, 47.
Owen, Rev. Richard, signs letter of clergy, 77.
Oxford (Maryland), free school at, 168.
Oxford town, 18.
Packer, Mr. John, vestryman, 17.
Panter, John, vestryman, 19.
Papists, referred to, 11, 12, 36, 97, 196, 197, 204, 214,
222, 242, 253, 254, 308, 315, 316, 317, 318, 321, 322,
327.
Paris, Mr., 302.
Parishes, account of the, 13-20 ; extent of, 10, 38 ;
vestries of, incorporated, 43.
Parishioners, discipline of, 98, 127.
Parochial charges, 145.
Parochial intrusion, 135.
Parochial libraries, 33, 34, 37, 58, 61, 76, 158, 160,
igi, 192, 193, 196, 200, 202, 203, 205, 211, 212, 215,
219, 220, 221, 223, 228, 229, 321.
Parochial limits, act regulating, 154-156.
Parson, John, Quaker, 23.
Parsonage house to every church, 33.
Pastoral letters of the Bishop of London, 308.
366
Patapsco, i6.
Patrick's (Bishop) commentary, 233.
Patronage of churches, 180, 335.
Patterson, Rev. John, 346.
Pearce, Col. Benjamin, 173.
Penance, performance of, 244.
Perversion, attempts at, by priests, 12, 24, 37 ; suc-
cessful, 81.
Pennsylvania, state of the Church in, 243.
Penn, William, referred to, 6, 31, 35.
Petuxant Road, 13 ; Romish chapel beyond the, 22.
Phelps, Mr. Walter, vestryman, 16.
Philadelphia, church in, 53.
Phillips, Rev. Thomas, character of, 129, 256-258 ;
answers queries, 213-215 ; at visitation, 296, 303.
Pierce, Col. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Pierce, Mr. Gideon, 172.
Pierson, John, vestryman, 19.
Piscattoway parish, 15.
Plater, Mr. George, 70.
Planner, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 19.
Pluralities discouraged, 47, 145.
Pocomoke hundred, 19.
Pollard, John, a burgess, 28.
Polygamy, 77.
Popery, progress of, 104.
Popish priests in Maryland, 8, 12, 20-23 ; proclama-
tion respecting, 24, 25, 26 ; pouring in, 36 ;
great number of, 57 ; diligence of, 83, 234, 238.
Popish superstitions, harvest of, 136.
Popple, Mr., 40.
Portland, Duke of, 236.
Port Tobacco parish, Charles county, 15, 94, 209-211,
344. 346.
Port Tobacco, Romish chapel at, 21.
Postures during Divine service, 98, 127.
Potomac River, 179, 205.
Povey, John, 29.
Power, Mr. John, vestryman, 18.
Powsby, Howell, 22.
Poynedenorten hundred, 20.
Poynter, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 20.
Preaching, 292.
Presbyterian principles, clergy from Scotch Univer-
sities tainted with, 108.
Presbyterians refered to, 11, 64, 204, 308, 321, 322.
Presentation, right of, 59.
Presentation to parishes, 42.
Presentments, 231.
Preston, Capt. Thomas, vestryman, 17.
Prices of the necessaries of life in Maryland, 232.
Prince George's parish, Frederick county, 21, 193,
344, 346.
Prince, William, churchwarden, 94 ; physician, 95.
Private baptism, 97, 127.
Private baptisms and communions, 247.
Private schools referred to, 193, 207, 209, 211, 213.
Protestant establishment, letter of Lord Baltimore
concerning, 99.
Protestant religion, act for the establishment of the,
2, 29, 32 ; state of the, in Maryland, 33, 34, 35 ;
act respecting, 35-40.
Protestant servants restrained from church by
popish recusants, 2\, 25.
Provincial library at Annapolis, 195.
Public schools referred to, 195, 196, 200, 215, 217,
220, 223, 225, 226, 228.
Publishment of proclamation against popish recus-
ants ordered in all churches, chapels, and other
places of public worship and meeting, 25.
Pugh, Rev. Mr., 322.
Pulpit, 126.
Pulpit cloth and cushion, 97, 137, 157, 191, 198, 212,
228, 230, 269.
Quakers, case of the people called, 4-7 ; references
to the, II, 12 ; returns of, 20-23 ; interest of, 30,
31; action of, 35 ; pleas of, 36-40; opposition of,
52, 55. 57 ; referred to, 107, 196, 204, 214, 222,
227, 322, 327 ; law concerning, 147, 148.
Quarry, Col. Robert, 70, 71, 72.
Queen Ann county, school visitors of, 173.
Queen Anne parish, Prince George's county, 344,
346.
Queen Caroline parish, Ann Arundel county, 344,
345-
Queries addressed to the clergy, 74, 75, 78, 84 ; to
be answered by commissaries, 231, 232.
Rainsford, Rev. Giles, signs letter to commissary,
120 ; to Pres. Brooke, 122 ; to Lord Baltimore,
123 ; character of, 128 ; referred to, 130, 135 ;
signs address, 189 ; answers queries, 200-202 ;
letter from, 233, 234 ; signs address, 235 ; letters
of, 241, 242, 251, 252 ; referred to, 261, 262.
Randall, Richard, 23.
Ranney, Rev. Mr., 336.
Reade Rev. Robert, 336, 346.
Readers to be licensed, 115.
Reading desk, 126.
Reading, Rev. Philip, 346.
Reformation of manners, 240.
367
Recusants, popish, 24, 25, 97.
Register of births, marriages, and burials, 44, 45,
142, 143 ; of the school to be appointed, 176.
Registers, 142, 143, 152, 153.
Register, support of, 105.
Religion, act for the establishment of the Protestant,
2, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 82, 137, 139-148, 330, 339.
Reverence at the name of Jesus enjoined, 98.
Richardson, Wm., Sr., 20, 21.
Rider, Capt. John, 172.
Rigby, Mr. James, vestryman, 16.
Rigg, Mr. Henry, vestryman, 17.
Robertson, Rev. James, 172 ; answers queries, 220,
221; signs clergy letters, 241, 264, 267, 268 ;
statement of, 283 ; at visitation, 295 ; signs ad-
dress, 300.
Robins, Mr. George, vestryman, 18.
Robins, Mr. Thos., vestryman, 18.
Robinson, Rev. Thomas, character of, 129.
Robothom, Col. George, 165.
Robson, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 19.
Roman Catholics numerous, 80 ; perversions to the,
81; referred to, 106, 107, iir, 334.
Romish pamphlets diligently dispersed, 317.
Romish priests, 317. Vide Popish priests.
Rosenquest, Alexander, churchwarden, 93.
Roper, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 16.
Ross, Rev. John, 336, 347.
Ross, Rev. George, character of, 129 ; at visitation,
296, 303, 305 ; referred to, 313.
Round, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 20.
Rowsby, John, Esq., 172.
Royston, George, Quaker meeting at the house of,
21.
Ruball, Mr. Thos., vestryman, 19.
Rubrics, articles of inquiry according to the, 96-99,
127.
Ruraney, Edward, churchwarden, 93.
Sacraments looked upon as needless impositions,
II.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 97, 98, 134, 191, 192,
194, 196, 197, 199, 201, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208,
210, 212, 214, 216, 219, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 227,
230.
Samson, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 16.
Sanders, James, a burgess, 28.
Sanders, Robert, churchwarden, 94.
Sassafras, North and South parishes, and hundreds,
17-
Scarborough, Mr. Matthew, a burgess, 20, 28.
Schoolmasters to be of sober life and licensed, 98,
99, 127 ; to be members of the Church of Eng-
land, 175.
Schools, queries concerning, 131.
Scotch Universities, clergy from, 108.
Scott, Col. Edward, 172.
Scott, Mr. Daniel, vestryman, 17.
Scott, Rev. John, 347.
Scott, Rev. Robert, signs letter of clergy, 77 ; at
visitation, 94 ; character of, 128 ; referred to,
130; answers queries, 197, 198; not at visita-
tion, 298.
Selby, Mr. Thos., vestryman, 20.
Select vestries, 141, 142. Vide Vestries.
Sewall, Rev. Richard, signs letters of Maryland
clergy, 13, 77 ; character of, 129 ; referred to,
172 ; answers queries, 225, 226 ; at visitation,
226 ; signs address and letter, 241, 300.
Severn river, 16, 281.
Seymour, Col. John, Governor of Maryland, referred
to, 53 ; memorial respecting, 57-63 ; references
to, 65, 66, 71, 72.
Sharp, Governor, 338, 339, 340.
Sharp, Rev. John, 54.
Shinton, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 19.
Sheredine, Mr. Thomas, 172, 309.
Sherwood, Mr. Hugh, vestryman, 18.
Shrewsbury parish, Kent county, answers respect-
ing, 225, 226 ; referred to, 202, 344, 346.
Skidmore, Mr. George, vestryman, 17.
Skippon, Rev. Samuel, letter of, 72, 73 ; at visitation,
92 ; signs letter to Bishop of London, 106 ; re-
ferred to, 107 ; signs letter to commissary, 120 ;
to President, 122 ; to Lord Baltimore, 123 ;
character of, 128 ; referred to, 130, 135, 177 ;
answers queries, 193-195 ; dead, 250.
Sloane, Rev. Samuel, 337, 347.
Simony, charge of, 261.
Singleton, "one," Mr. Penn's agent, 35.
Smallwood, James, a burgess, 28.
Smith, Mr. George, vestryman, 17.
Smith, Mr. John, vestryman, 15 ; Colonel, 172.
Smith, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 14.
Smith, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 17 ; burgess, 28 ; re-
ferred to, 165.
Smith, Mr. Walter, vestryman, 14 ; (of Leonard's
Creek), 172.
Smith, Rev. Mr., 255.
Smith, Robert, speaker of the House of Burgesses,
23 ; a burgess, 28, 165.
Smith, Wm., a burgess, 28.
368
Smithson, Mr. Thomas, l8 ; a burgess, 28 ; member
of the council, 71.
Snow Hill parish, 19, 20 ; dissenting chapel in, 23.
Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts
referred to, 76, 83, 84, 89, 138, 262-264, 317, 321.
Somerset county, parishes in, 19, 20 ; return of
Quakers, etc., in, 22 ; referred to, 63 ; vacancies
in, 88.
Somerset parish, Somerset county, referred to, 192 ;
vacant, 295 ; referred to, 344, 347.
Southern, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 15.
Southern, Mr. Valentine, vestryman, 17.
South River, 21 ; parish, 15, 16 ; hundred, 16.
Sponsors to be communicants, 257.
St. Andrew's parish, St. Mary's county, 344, 346.
St. Ann's parish, Annapolis, 92, 95 ; queries respect-
ing, 193-195 ; referred to, 208, 344, 345.
St. Augustine's, Cecil county, 344, 346.
State holydays, observance of, 97.
Stayley, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 17.
St. Barnabas (Queen Ann parish). Prince George's
county, 94 ; answers respecting, 208, 209 ; visi-
tation at, 297, 298.
Stephens, Edw., vestryman, 19.
Stepney parish, Somerset county, 19, 63 ; answers
respecting, 211-213 ; referred to, 344, 347.
Stevens, Rev. John, 336 ; (Stephens), 346.
St. Francis, a friar of the order of, in Charles county,
21.
St. George's hundred, 23.
St. George's parish, Baltimore county, 16, 17, 93, 95,
136, 200, 343, 345.
St. George's parish, South Carolina, 204.
St. Inagoe's, a lay brother at, 22.
St. James's parish, Ann Arundel county, 93, 95, 344,
345 ; answers respecting, 204, 205.
St. John's parish, Baltimore county, 16, 17, 93, 95,
136, 344. 345-
St. John's, Queen Ann's county, 344, 347.
St. Luke's, Queen Ann's county, 318, 344, 347.
St. Margaret's parish, Ann Arundel county, 344, 345.
St. Mary Anne parish, Cecil county, 344, 346.
St. Mary's county, to, 13, 23 ; Romish priests and
chapels in, 22 ; school visitors of, 172.
St. Mary White-chapel, Dorchester county, 200 ;
vacant, 295 ; referred to, 344, 347.
St. Michael's parish, Talbot county, 18 ; answers
respecting, 226-228 ; referred to, 344, 347.
Stoddart, Mr. James, vestryman, 15.
Stokes, Mr. John, 172.
Stone, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Stourton, Mr. George, vestryman, 17.
Stourton, Mr. T., 283.
Stourton, Mr. William, 172, 283.
St. Paul's parish, Baltimore county, 14, 16 ; action
of vestry of, 79, 80 ; referred to, 93, 95, 190-192,
309, 310, 344, 345.
St. Paul's parish, Kent county, 17, 18; answers
respecting, 222, 223, 344, 346.
St. Paul's parish, Prince George's county, answers
respecting, 200-202 ; referred to, 208.
St. Paul's parish. Queen Ann county, answers
respecting, 215-217 ; referred to, 344, 347.
St. Paul's parish, Talbot county, 18.
St. Peter's parish, Talbot county, 18, 126, 127, 344,
347 ; answers respecting, 223-225.
St. Stephen's, Cecil county, 226 ; action of vestry of,
308, 320, 321, 344, 346.
St. Stephen's parish, in King and Queen county,
Va., 298.
St. Thomas's parish, Baltimore county, 344, 345.
Stubbs, Rev. Secretary, letters to, 53, 54, 64.
Subscription of the " test and association " required,
44.
Sudler, James, 258.
Suffragan to the Bishop of London, 33 ; provision
for, 58 ; need of, 81, 269.
Summers, Robert, churchwarden, 93, 94.
Surplice to be worn at all times of public ministra-
tion, 98.
Surplice, none at St. Paul's, Baltimore, 191 ; wanting
at All Saints', Calvert, 203 ; none at Christ
church, Kent, 214 ; none at Great Choptank,
219 ; none at Dorchester, 230.
Swansea river, i5.
Swanson's creek, 14.
Tabbs, Rev. Moses, 336, 346.
Table of marriages to be set up in every parish
church, 42, 46, 74, 97, 140.
Talbot county, parishes in, 18 ; Quakers in, 22 ;
school visitors of, 172.
Talbot, Rev. John (Bishop), 236-23S, 243, 255.
Tasker, Thomas, a burgess, 28, 165.
Taylor, Martin, churchwarden, 95.
Taylor, Mr. Abraham, vestryman, 17.
Taylor, Mr. Lawrence, vestryman, 17.
Tench, Thomas, Esq., vestryman, 11.
Terry, Mr. John, vestryman, 16.
Test oath, 173.
Thomas, Joseph, churchwarden, 94.
Thomas, Susannah, Quaker, 23.
369
Thompson, Mayor John, vestryman, 17 ; a burgess,
28, 165.
Thompson, Mr. Augustine, 173.
Thompson, Mr. Richard, 173.
Thompson, Rev. William, 346.
Thomson, Rev. Thomas, answers queries, 229-231 ;
referred to, 241, 295, 300, 303, 304.
Thornton, Rev. Thomas, 336, 346.
Tibbs, Rev. William, 55, 56 ; signs letter of clergy,
77 ; conduct of, 79, 80, 81 ; at visitation, 93 ;
articles against, 95, 96 ; character of, 128 ; re-
ferred to, 130 ; incorrigible, 133 ; referred to,
135. 172; signs address, 189; queries answered
by, 190-192 ; signs address, 235 ; at visitation,
297 ; conduct of, 302, 309, 310.
Ticklemore, Mr. Samuel, vestryman, 17.
Tilghman, Richard, Esq., 173.
Tindal's Christianity, 325.
Toas, Sarah, Daniel, John, Quakers, 23.
Tobacco, act requiring 40 lbs. of, per poll for the
service of Almighty God, 8, 9, 11, 30, 38, 41-48,
49. 50.
Tobacco inspectors' oath, 272, 273.
Todel, T., vestryman, 309.
Town Neck hundred, 16.
Tread Havon creek, 22.
Trinity Parish, Charles county, 344, 346.
True, William, Eliza, William, Jr., Quakers, 23.
Tubman, Rev. George, signs letter of Maryland
clergy, 13.
Turbutt, Mr. William, 173.
Turner, Mr. William, vestryman, 14.
Tustian, Rev. Peter, letter of, 125, 126 ; character of,
128 ; referred to, 130 ; signs address, 189 ; an-
swers queries, 204, 205 ; referred to, 255, 264,
267, 268, 297, 300, 306, 307.
Tyler, Mr. Robert, 173.
Ungle, Robert, Esq., 172.
Urmston, Rev. John, letter from, 236-238 ; drunk at
visitation, 296 ; signs address, 300 ; death of,
302 ; referred to, 308, 310.
Urquhart, Rev. Mr., 314.
Van Deusen, Mr. Matthew, vestryman, 17.
Vans, Samuel, signs petition for a minister, 85.
Vaughan, Mr., of Cardiganshire, 56.
Vernon, Christopher, churchwarden, 93, 95.
Vestries constituted a body corporate, 43 ; register
of proceedings of, 44, 45, 46; meetings of, 46 ;
observations upon, 49, 50, 141, T42.
47
Vesey, Rev. William, 236.
Vestry, a select, not legal, 49.
Vestry books, inspection of, 147.
Vestryman's oath, 44, 142.
Vicars, Mr. Thomas, vestryman, 19.
Visitation of the sick, 127.
Visitations of Commissary, 87, 88, 89-91, 97-99, 131-
139, 231 ; (June, 1730), 288-296 ; (July, 1730), 297,
298; Qune, 173T), 303-305 ; (July, 1731). 3o6, 307.
Walker, Mr. Alex., vestryman, 17.
Walker, Rev. Philip, 337, 347.
Walwin, Edward, Quaker, 23.
Wanghop, Thomas, a burgess, 28, 172.
Ward, Col. John, 172.
Ward, Col. Matthew Tilghman, 172.
Ward, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 17.
Warren, Rev. Mr., curate in Christ church, Barba-
does, 314.
Watkins, Mr. John, vestryman, 16.
Watkin's Point, 179.
Watson, Mr. John, vestryman, 14.
Weatherby, Mr. James, vestryman, 19.
Wednesday and Friday prayers, 72, 73.
Week-day prayers at Christ church, Philadelphia,
237.
Welsh, prayer read in, 50.
Welton, Rev. Dr. (Bishop), 243, 255.
Westminster parish, Ann Arundel county, 92, 93,
• 192, 204, 223.
Westover church, Virginia, 220.
West, Rev. William, 336, 345.
West River hundred, 15, 16, 20.
Wharfield, Mr. Richard, vestryman, 16, 172.
Wheatley, Mr. Arthur, vestryman, 19.
Wheeler, Robert, churchwarden, 93, 94.
Whitby's commentary, 233.
White, Bernard, registrar, 92 ; churchwarden, 92.
White, Rev. Jonathan, signs letter of clergy, 77 ;
letter of, 85, 86 ; not at visitation, 94.
Whittington, Major, 72.
Whittington, Mr. John, vestryman, 18.
Wiccocomors hundred, ig.
Wigh, river of, 178.
Wilkinson Capt., 233.
Wilkinson, Mr. Wm., vestryman, 16.
Wilkinson, Rev. Christopher, signs letter of clergy,
77 ; recommended as commissary, 81 ; letters
of, 86, 87, 88 ; letter to, 88, 89 ; referred to, 100,
102, 103; letter of, 106-109; referred to, no,
116; letter of, 117, 118; articles of, 126, 127;
370
character of, I2g; referred to, 173; answers to
queries, 215-217; letters of, 244-246, 246, 247;
signs address, 248; letter of, 254, 255, 258-260;
signs petitions, 264, 267, 268; letters of, 269;
referred to, 318.
Wilkinson, Rev. Stephen, signs petitions, 264, 267,
268; at visitation, 297; signs address, 300; at
visitation, 306, 307.
William and Mary College, in Virginia, i, 2, 33, 164.
William and Mary parish, 13, 14, 18, 23; in Charles
county, 94, 136, 195, 344, 346; St. Mary's county,
136 ; answers respecting, igg, 200 ; referred to,
344. 346.
Williams, Mr. Laurence, 324.
Williamson, Mr. Samuel, 172.
Williamson, Rev. Alexander, signs letter of clergy,
77, 91; referred to, no, 172; character of, 129;
answers queries, 222, 223 ; referred to, 238 ;
signs address, 241 ; at visitation, 296, 303, 305 ;
signs address, 300 ; referred to, 336, 346.
Williamson, Rev. Mr., 319, 336.
Williamson, Rev. James, signs letter of clergy, 77,
91; referred to, no; character of, 128; referred
to, 130; signs address, 189; answers queries,
202, 203 ; character of, 233 ; signs letter, 235 ;
conduct of, 241 ; at visitation, 298 ; signs ad-
dress, 300.
Wilmer, Mr. Lambert, 172.
Wilmer, Mr. Simon, 172.
Wilmore, Mr. Seymour, vestryman, 17.
Wilson, James, Quaker, 23.
Wilson, Mr. John, vestryman, 15.
Woodford, Col. Roger, 172.
Worcester parish, Worcester county, 344, 347.
Workman, Joan, Quaker, 23.
Worton hundred, 17.
Wright, John, 258.
Wright, Mr. Edward, 173.
Wright, Mr. Nathaniel, vestryman, r8.
Wye, Rev. William, at visitation, 303, 304.
Yates, Mr. Robert, vestryman, 15.
Young, Col. Samuel, 172.
Young, Joseph, signs petition for a minister, 85.
Zelifro, Andrew, churchwarden, 321.
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
RBI.ATING TO THE
American Colonial Church.
EDITED BY
WILLIAM STEVENS PERRY, D.D.
Volume v. — DELAWARE.
PRINTED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS.
MDCCCLXXVIII.
Two Hundred and Fifty Copies Printed.
No.
INTRODUCTION.
The papers relating to the early history of the Church in Delaware
are comparatively few in number, and in consequence of the interchange
of labors on the part of the Missionaries and the connection with the
neighboring provinces are found to throw quite as much light upon the
condition of the Church in Pennsylvania and Maryland as upon the Church
in the province under which they have been grouped by the late Histo-
riographer of the American Church. They furnish among other papers
of moment some particulars of general interest as to the condition of the
Church Clergy at the opening of the War for Independence, while in
their earlier details they give minutely a vivid description of the growth
both of the outward fabric and the Spiritual Temple of the Church in
Delaware.
The same care has been exercised in this volume as in others of
this series to give a transcript of the copies and originals secured in
England by the late Rev. Dr. Hawks, and these transcripts have been
carefully followed.
Bishop's House, Davenport, Iowa,
Feast of SS. Philip and James, 1878.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
April 3, 1706. Rev. Thomas Crawford to the Secretary, 1, 2
April 8, 1706. The same to the Rev. Mr. Stubbs, . 3, 4
May 17, 1706. The Rev. George Ross to the Secretary, . 5
July 19, 1708. The same to the same (extract), . 6, 7
Aug. 26, 1708. The Rev. Thomas Jenkins to the Secretary, 8-12
Aug. 26, 1708. The Rev. Andrew Rudman to the Secretary, 13, 14
Aug. 28, 1708. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 14-16
Aug. 31, 1708. The Rev. Mr. Crawford to the Secretary, 16-19
March 7, 1708-9. The Rev. Evan Evans to the Secretary, . 19-21
March 9, 1709. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 21, 22
June 16, 1709. The Rev. Mr. Evans to the Secretary, . . . 23""24
Oct. 17, 1709. Vestry of New Castle, Delaware, to the Society (extract) 25-26
Jan. 5, 1710-11. The Rev. Robert Sinclare to the Lord Bishop of London, . 27
Pulha7n MSS. (unbound^.
Jan. 5, 1710-11. The same to the Secretary, 27, 28
Dec. 7, 1 7 10. The same to the same, 28
July 30, 171 1. The same to the same (extract), 29
171 1. Petition of Vestry of Church at Newcastle to the Society. 30
July 26, 1 7 13. The Rev. Jacob Henderson to the Secretary, 31
1717. Petition of the Rev. Ericus Biorck, . . 32
Aug. 27, 1717. A Journal of Mr. Ross's Labours in the Gospel in the County of
Sussex upon Delaware, ... . 32-35
Sept. I, 1722. The Rev. William Becket to the Secretary, 35-37
Sept. 17, 1723. The Rev. Mr Ross to the Secretary, . . -37, 38
Oct. 20, 1723. Members of the Church of England in Kent County on Delaware
to the Society, ... . . 38, 39
May 19, 1724. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary, 39, 40
June 4, 1725. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 41, 42
Oct. 9, 1725. The same to the same, .... . 42, 43
March i, 1727. The Rev. Mr. Ross's History of the Church at New Castle, 43-48
March 13, 1727-8. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary, 49, 50
July 2, 1727. Inhabitants of Kent County to the Archbishop of Canterbury, . 50-52
VI
July 25, 1729. Inhabitants of White Clay Creek to the Secretary, . 52, S3
Sept. 25, 1729. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary (extract), 54, 55
Oct. 4, 1729. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 55
July 31, 1729. The Rev. Alex'r Campbell to the Secretary, S^, 57
July I, 1731. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary, 57, 5^
April 15, 1732. Petition of the same to the Secretary, • • 58-60
April 15, r732. The Inhabitants of St. John's Parish, Kent Co., to the Rev. Mr.
Cummings, ... ■ 01-63
April 20, 1732. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary, 63, 64
Nov. 7, 1732. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 64-67
Aug. 6, 1733. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary (extract), . 67, 68
Oct. 8, 1733. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, . 68-70
Nov. 12, 1733. The Rev. George Frazer to the Secretary, 70, 71
March 22, 1733-4. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 71, 7^
Nov. 28, 1734. The Rev. Mr. Frazer to the Secretary, 73
The Petition of Mr. William Lindsay to the Society, 73~75
June 15, 1736. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, . 75, 76
July 3, 1739. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary (extract), 76
Sept. 29, 1739. The Rev. Mr. Lindsay to the Secretary (extract), 77
Oct. 27, 1740. The Rev. Arthur Usher to the Secretary (extract), . 77
Oct., 1740. The Churchwardens and Vestry of Bristol to the Society (extract), . 78
Nov. I, 1740. The Rev. Mr. Lindsay to the Secretary (extract), . 79-83
April 25, 1741. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary, 83, 84
Aug. 4, 1741. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, - 84
June 3, 1742. The same to the same (extract), 85
Sept. 26, 1742. The Rev. Mr. Becket to the Secretary (extract), . 85, 86
March 6, 1744-5. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, 86, 87
Nov. 23, 1745. The same to the same, . . 87
Dec. 26, r745. The Rev. Mr. Usher to the Secretary (extract), 88
Nov. r4, 1746. The Rev. Philip Reading to the Secretary, . 88-90
Sept. 30, 1747. The same to the same (extract), . . 90, 91
March 28, 1748. The Rev. Thomas Bluett to the Secretary, 91, 92
June 16, 1748. Churchwardens of Dover to the Society, . 92-94
June 26, 1748. The Rev. Mr. Bluett to the Secretary, . 94
July 30, 1748. The Rev. Dr. Jenney to the Secretary, . . 95
Nov. 8, 1750. The Rev. Hugh Neill to the Secretary, . g6
Sept. I, 175 1. The same to the same (extract), . ... 97, 98
Aug. I, 1752. The Churchwardens and Vestrymen of St. Matthew's Chapel to the
Society (extract), ... ... 98
Oct. 13, 1752. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary, gg
Oct. 18, 1752. The Rev. Mr. Usher to the Secretary (extract), . . . 100
Oct. TO, 1759. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary (extract), . 100
May 10, 1760. The Rev. Charles Inglis to the Secretary (extract), . . . loi, 102
Vll
Sept. 26, 1760. The same to the same (extract), ...
June 21, 1761. The same to the same (extract),
Oct. 8, 1761. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary (extract),
Nov. 27, 1761. The Rev. Mr. Inglis to the Secretary (extract),
June 15, 1762. The same to the same (extract),
June 26, 1762. Chief Justice Holt to the Secretary,
July 2, 1762. The Rev. Mr. Ross to the Secretary (extract).
Sept. 7, 1762. Rev. Dr. William Smith's Observations,
Dec. 2, 1762. The Rev. Mr. Inglis to the Secretary (extract),
July 26, 1763. The same to the same (extract),
Nov. 20, 1764. The same to the same (extractj,
Dec. 10, 1764. The same to the same (extract),
July 2, 1765. The same to the same (extract),
Oct. 31, 1766. Extract of a Letter from Charles Ridgely, Esq., of Dover, to the
Rev. Mr. Inglis,
Dec. I, 1766. The Rev. Mr. Inglis to the Secretary,
Nov. 14, 1767. The Rev. Samuel Magaw to the Secretary (extract),
Sept. 26, 1771. The same to the same,
Nov. 22, 1773. The Rev. John Lyon to the Secretary (extract),
Oct. 7, 1776. The Rev. Mr. Magaw to the Secretary (extract),
Dec. 15, 1778. The Rev. Thomas Barton to the Secretary (extract),
Jan. 8, 1779. The same to the same (extract),
Oct. 25, 1779. The same to the same (extract),
March 5, 1782. The Rev. Samuel Tingley to the Secretary (extract).
PAGES
T02,
103
103,
104
105.
106
106,
107
107-
-109
109
no
IIO,
III
III
112,
113
113-
-116
116,
117
117-
-120
120,
121
122-
-125
125.
126
126,
127
127,
128
128
129,
130
130-
-133
133,
134
134-
-139
4j.*^ The originals from which the papers in this volume were copied were found among the MSS. of
the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
PAPERS RELATING
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
IN DELAWARE.
M'. CRAWFORD to the Secretary.
Dover Hundred in Kent County
IN Pennsylvania, April 3"^, 1706.
Sir,
The' I incline to be as little troublesome as possible to you or the Society,
yet being encouraged by your Civility to me, as well as by your Command, I
have presumed to trouble you with an Acco' that I am now recovered of that
long and dangerous seasoning I had been under at the writing of my last. As
for the Church, I shall not trouble you therewith, supposing that the vestry
have given you an Account of our progress, which is Little since my last.
But as to my Cure at my first Comeing, I found the people all Stuffed with
various Opinions, but not one in the place that was so much of a Churchman
as to stand God-father for a Child, so that I was two months in the place before
I baptized any, on that account they would have none, and I required. But
now (I thank God) I have baptized a great number. They bring their Chil-
dren with Sureties very orderly to the Church, and also people at age a great
many, the greater part whereof were Quakers, and Quaker Children, for by
God's blessing upon my Labours, I have not only gained the heart of my hearers
1 706.] 2
but some that were my greatest Enemies at first, and Quakers that were fully
resolved against me are come over and have joyned themselves to our Com-
munion. I have baptized families of them together ; so I have dayly additions
to the Congregation. I remember that I desired to be removed from this
place, but if it be not before this comes to your hands, I resolve to try my
health this Summer, because the people are unwilling that my removal should
be spoke off, and tho' I have nothing to engage me Taut this, That my Congre-
gation has dayly additions ; nay, for the most part, my Church is full each Sun-
day, and I have obtained the love of the people (I dare presume to say), but
for money or 'any thing from them I have never received any as yet, for the
people are poor, and love them best that does most for least money, so that I
dare not ask.
Sir, I was lately in Sussex County where I preached several times, where
I find a People mighty Civil, and a great many well inclined to the Church,
and upon my application to the Gentlemen of the Place they have drawn up
an address to my Lord of London for a Minister. The place is pleasant for
Situation, and healthy, but the people are generally poor there, as well as
where I am, but well affected and have promised me they shall do all they are
able to maintain a Minister ; who if of a Religious Conversation, will do great
Service, but if not, St. Paul's gifts will not convert one soul ; where this is
wanting all our other Labours are in vain. They desire a Supply early by
reason there is a Presbyterian preacher in the place whom, when I was there,
I sent for, but refused me a meeting ; his life is not very regular and I hope
will do us no hurt. The Gentlemen desired me to write in their favours and
now have sent their address to send home with my Letters. I hope the
Society will grant their request, the sooner because they lye out of the way of
all Supply. I am the nearest to them, Tho' I am about 50 miles from them.
Sir, in the place where I live we have got a Society For the Reformation of
Manners erected, which I hope will put a Stop to all profanity and Irreligion :
any that formerly seemed to be inconsiderate in their words & actions now are
more circumspect and begin to fear.
Sir, I have troubled you too much, for which I ask pardon, concluding with
my humble Service to yourself and my prayers to God for the prosperity of
the Hon"' Society, I am Sir,
Your most humble servant,
THOS. CRAWFORD.
3 ■ [i7o6.
The Rev' M\ CRAWFORD to the Rev' M\ STUBBS.
Dover Hund° in Kent County in
Pennsylvania, Apl. 8, 1706.
Rev° Sir,
Your Commands give boldness unto me to give you the trouble of this
with my humble service to you and Mad"" Stubs.
As to my Cure, when I came first unto the place I had not one that was so
much of a Churchman as to stand Godfather for a child for want whereof I was
two months in the place before ever I baptized any, I still required, and they
would halve no, sureties. But, I thank God, matters are a great deal altered
and many of my hearers are become very orderly, nay, zealous in Religion ; I
have baptized a great many both old and young, many whereof were Quakers
and Quakers' children. I have baptized whole Families of them together. I
have dayly additions to the Congregation and some who were my greatest
Enemies, and most bigott Quakers have now come over and joyned them-
selves to our Communion and given in their Names and are Members of the
Congregation ; and this is my greatest Comfort that my weak Labours are
blessed for other I have not many. I have the love of the people and there is
not one Quaker in the County but what receives my visits very kindly, and is
Civil but the people are very poor, I have never received one farthing for all
I have done ; I still remember your Christian advice not to ask nor impose
upon youug converts which, if I should, it would be of sad consequences for
several, nay, many do object against paying Ministers Benefices : to comply
with whose weakness, I have not taken as yet, no, not for Marriages because,
If I should, they would go to a Justice of the peace for Marriage where they
have it for nothing. But I hope they will do something after this and if they
do not, I am not able to live on what I have from England. I know many
have a good will, and would do if able. But they sustained a great Loss in
these parts, first, by a great storm, and then a Murrain among their Cattle.
But I have Comfort that the Congregation grows still more Numeroufe and
tho I wrote to you to obtain for me a Liberty to remove from the place, I now
Incline to try it a little Longer till I try if my health will continue for it is now
indifferent good, for the people say they will not allow me to remove.
1 706.] 4
Sir, I was Invited by the Gentlemen of the next County (viz) Sussex, and
upon their desire I went and preached at one Cap'" Hil's house, then at Lewis
Town, and on a third time in another place ; and I find them all in General
inclined to the Church of England (tho' an Irish Presbyterian has preacht
there some years) and after Conversation with them, they joyned in an address
to my Lord of London for a Minister, and sent it up after me to be sent for
England with the same Care I did my own w""" I have. I was desired by them
to write to my Lord of London concerning the place and their need of one to
watch for their Souls. The place is pleasant, the people (tho' not very Rich
as what both Counties are) yet extraordinary Civil and well affected ; and
promised me that they would do what they were able to help and encourage
a Minister as far as their Circumstances will allow : and now are falling about
Building a Church. I mention this to you because I know growth in Religion
is acceptable News to you and then when anyone is proposed for this Place
you, according to your wonted Zeal for the propogation of the Gospel, may
forward his Mission ; the place exceedingly wants and lyes out of the way of
all supply. I am the nearest in this Provence, tho' I am about 50 or 60 Miles
Riding. I yet ask that your wonted zeal for pious Men may be in this Mis-
sion, for, if he be not a Man of Religion, St. Paul's gifts here will not convert
or gain one Soul from their Errors of Life.
Sir, I hope the Reverend Mr. Talbot has given you some more information
of that Gentleman's life and conversation that I mentioned to you and whose
Mission you stopt last year. I ask pardon for this Trouble which, with my
acknowledgement of and hearty thanks for all your favours to me, with my
Prayers for yourself and society, is all from
Rev"^ Sir,
Your humble Servant,
THOMAS CRAWFORD.
P.S.
Sir, Tho' I think I have here several good men yet as in all places I have
many that notionly dissent but are Irreligious and openly profane, to stop
which, we are Erecting a society for the Reformation of Manners which I hope
will do some service, we have already brought some to punishment.
[1706.
M''. ROSS to the Secretary.
PENSIL^ Newcastle, May I7'^ 1706.
HoN° Sir,
You'l easily pardon my freedom in writing to you when you consider that
it is no more than what you enjoyned me before I came from England.
To Present you with a general view of the state of the Church in this
Province is that which I think you have from better hands and Persons who
have lived here longer than I have done. However I would venture to de-
liver my mind on that Subject too, were it not that my Reverend Brother M'.
Evans (whose fidelity in his Ministry, and good reputation in those parts has
rendered his acco' very authentic) is able by word of Mouth to give you a
clearer and more succinct relation than my weak Judgement can pretend to.
We have many Opposers, both from without and from within ; yet, blessed be
God, we faint not, neither are we discouraged. There are but few Church
people here, I mean in this town, many hereabouts being of a long time led
away by dissenting Ministers. The Presbyterians have a meeting in Town,
and the Annabaptists have another in the Country. I hope the hon"' Society
will see how necessary it is to see this place provided with a fixed Ministry.
I delivered my mind in what particularly relates to myself in my letter to M"'.
Hodges, and likewise I have recommended to my Brother Evans to show the
Society my present circumstances. I shall not trouble you with an acco' of
this matter, since M". Evans can do it perhaps to your Greater Satisfaction,
and I firmly rely on your kindness, that you will further whatever may tend
to my quietness and encouragement in this place. Wishing your prosperity,
I am,
Honoured Sir,
your humble Servant,
GEO. ROSS.
i7o8.] 6
Rev'' M'. ROSS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Newcastle, July 19, 1708.
* * * You signify in your postscript that the Society expects an
account of the contributions that I receive from the Government or Inhabi-
tants of the place where I am settled. There is nothing provided by Law for
the maintenance of the Clergy in this province, and as to the Subscriptions of
my hearers, I received about ;^i5 Sterling yearly since I settled among them,
which is so far from being any considerable encouragement where a Minister
pays £yi 3- ye3-r for his accommodations a year, besides his accidental charges,
that were it not for the benevolence and bounty of a certain Gentleman whose
Son I teach in the Latin tongue, I could hardly live in the place so long. I
find by your second letter that my apologetick Letter of i f^ May, 1 706, gave
offence, in that I apologised for my freedom instead of excusing my silence ;
if I have addressed you without a due sense of my distance, I am sorry for it •
and as to my silence, I do not remember that I neglected to write home as
often as an opportunity offered from Pensylvania.. As to my deputing M'.
Evans to inform you of the state of my flock by word of mouth, I intended
no more than a relation of those minute things which might have escaped my
representation in my letter, and you might be desirous to be satisfied about.
The best apology I can make for this oversight is to give you the following
account of the present state of the Church in this place. The congregation
here is not now so large as before, through an Epidemical sickness that has of
late been very rife in this place; the distemper being so mortal that few
escaped that were taken ill of it. There are not a few, blessed be God, that
adorn their profession by a suitable deportment, that do " worthily in Ephra-
tah," * zealous sons of the Church and constant frequenters of the Holy Com-
munion : to which to persuade men, is the hardest task of the Sacred Ministry
in these parts. The country people that live back from the town of New
Castle make up a considerable part of this Church, who though they are a
*Ruth, iv. II.
7 [i7o8.
great way off from the Town, some above 1 2 miles, yet they seldom miss to
come to Church when there is no Sermon in the Country. They are generally
zealous men and of substantial piety. The Church is quite finished, by the
unwearied diligence and liberal contributions of several gentlemen in the
place, particularly M'. Rich'' HoUywell, M^ Jasper Yeats, and M'. James
Coutes, men of good note. It is a fair and stately building, and one of the
largest in this Government, and what contributes very much to its beauty, it is
adorned with Her Majesty's Bounty as well as other Churches in these parts,
namely, a fair pulpit Cloth* and Communion Table Cloth. The Dissenters in
Town, being for the most part Presbyterians, are of late better reconciled to
the Church than they were when I first settled here. Several persons of that
persuasion, who sent for me in the sickly times, declared their sincere love for
the Church, and firm resolutions to continue in its Communion if God should
be pleased to restore them to their health. It were to be wished that the
Judgement of dying men in the case of separation from our Communion
might move others thoroughly to examine the grounds of their division, and
so live as many wish they had done, when they come to die.
M"". Black and M^ Jenkins have been here to wait upon the Governor.
They are very deserving persons, and will, I hope, answer the expectations of
the Honorable Society. M"'. Nichols has left Chester and gone to settle in
Maryland, upon what motives is best known to himself 'Tis a pity the place
should be left desolate. I shall not be wanting in what I am able to supply it
until there is care taken of it at home. I have nothing further to offer to the
consideration of the Society, but my hearty request for their prayers that the
Glory of their noble undertaking may never be sullied by the miscarriage of
any of those weak Instruments that they are pleased to employ on so great a
design as the Salvation of men's Souls. I am, Sir,
Your most humble Serv',
GEO. ROSS.
i7o8.] 8
Rev' M". JENKINS to the Secretary.
New Castle, Pensylvania,
26"" Aug', 1708.
Sir,
In obedience to yours and the Honorable Society's commands I have
taken care to begin my correspondence with you from abroad by the first
opportunity ; after eleven weeks sail from Portsmouth we arrived at Virginia
the 2^^ of May last, 1708, and for want of a convenient passage from thence
to Philadelphia, we were detained there 5 weeks and at last having no pros-
pect of any fairer opportunity, we hired a Boat for eight pound ten, to carry
us with our effects to Bohemia landing which is a part of Maryland and
boarders upon the province of Pensylvania and lyes within 70 miles of Phila-
delphia. The very first night we came to Bohemia we met there with his
Honor Colonel Evans, Governor of Pensylvania. After we had paid him our
respects and I had delivered him my Letters of recommendation to his Honor's
countenance and favour, understanding my mission was for Appoquiminy, his
honor told me that he wondered the people of that place would presume to
petition for a Minister to themselves being so few and inconsiderate a rem-
nant, not above five settled families upon the Creek, and withall added, he was
sorry it was my chance to be sent amongst them. The next day his Honor
desired Mr. Black and I to bear him company to New Casde, the second town
in the province which lyes very near the sea, upon the mouth of the River
Delaware, 40 miles below the City of Philadelphia, formerly a place of great
trade and still has some vessels belonging to it most of the Inhabitants being
Merchants here. In the Town of New Castle we met with the Reverend M^
Nichols, late minister of Upland in Chester, with his wife, his servants, and all
his effects, going to Maryland to settle himself minister of some country there.
Upon this vacancy at Upland I had several pressing invitations to come to
Chester from the Churchwardens and the best gentlemen there. I answered
them I was not in a capacity to accept of any such proposals, though very
encouraging, except upon some more than ordinary occasions, I should be
necessitated to leave Appoquiminy. After M"". Black and I had preached
once before his Honor at New Castle, I went the following week to Appo-
9 [i7o8.
quiminy, and waited upon one Captain Cautwell, the only person of any note
or reputation in the place. He received me very kindly and was willing
to lodge and diet me at his house, but it was so small that he could afford me
no retired room to myself, nor was there any in Appoquiminy that could
better accommodate me than he, his house being but twelve miles from the
Church, and the rest for the most part some more miles distant. I preached
there on Sunday and had a very large Congregation to hear me, most of them
being led out of curiosity from neighbouring parishes, and above 30 were
come from Maryland, out of the Rev'^ M'. Sewell's parish ; however they
seemed to be all very well satisfied in the Gospel doctrine I had entertained
them with, but there was none of them, excepting three, M''. Cautwell, M".
■ Healey, and M"". Dyer, that took any notice of me, or did once as much as bid
me welcome to the place, yet notwithstanding their coolness and indifferency
towards me, I still retained the same resolute purpose of continuing amongst
them that I first had when I came from home, but going up again to New
Castle the following week to meet with a Sweedish Minister, a very pious,
sincere Christian, one M'. Biork, I found then that The Reverend M'. Ross,
your late missionary to that town of New Castle, was removing from thence,
and in supply of M'. Henry Nichols had agreed to settle himself at Chester:
When I had reasoned a little with M"', Ross upon this his sudden removal, he
told me 'twas upon the account of his late marriage, not that he thought to
better himself any thing through his Ministry at Upland, but that he had very
promising hopes of getting his family a better maintenance there by keeping
a Boarding School, having several Children promised him from Philadelphia.
I being in Town when M'. Ross acquitted himself of his charge here, the
Church Wardens and Vestrymen had a meeting and drew up a general peti-
tion to me, desiring me to reside among them and take care of their Church,
which they had by such great charge been so long a finishing; otherwise,
though but just now finished and many did daily join with her communion, yet
if left in this desolate and destitute state, it would be the absolute ruin of her,
adding as they have already represented to My Lord of London, that the
Presbyterians having built a very spacious meeting house in the very face of
their Church, they would soon make havoc of her by proselyting the greatest
part of their Congregation, consisting most of country people, which, being
illiterate, are as yet hardly principled in the true Christian, Apostolical Church,
and its Gospel Doctrines, and would be soon carried away with every wind of
1708.] lO
Doctrine. With this, at the same time, I received a very pressing Letter from
his Honor, the Governor of this place, wherein he urged me by all the tender-
ness and compassionate regard we owed to the infant distressed Church of
Christ in general in those parts, that I would take particular care of this in
New Castle, and assist the people of Appoquiminy as frequently as I could,
adding withall in great sincerity that by all the power and authority that was
imposed in him, he would see this Church at New Castle supplied before any
other, assuring me if I stayed here His Honor's particular favor and all the
good offices he could do me. Yet before I would settle anywhere but where
by my mission! was particularly directed, with all this I thought it very proper
to consult Colonel Quary, as I understood him to be a Member of your Cor-
poration, so that his approbation concurring with the reasonable motives
before offered, together with the sense and conscience I had of my duty to
God and his Church in general, prevailed upon me (I hope not without a
happy providence of God) to fix myself at New Castle in hopes of My Lord
of London's future approbation and the rest of the Honorable Societies,
I have since my settlement here frequently offered my service and minis-
try to the people of Appoquiminy, to preach to them constantly upon one
Sunday in the month and if they would meet me once a fortnight upon week
days ; but I have not been able to persuade them yet to accept of this, for they
imagine that I am under such special bonds and obligations to serve them in
my Ministry, and none else but them only, that if I don't live with them they
have made no scruple to tell me, that they will complain to the Honorable
Society, and make them withdraw their bounty from me. I suppose you have
heard from them before now, but upon the whole of what they say, whatever
may be the Society's opinion of me, I have this much to say for myself, that
I thank the Almighty God (with sincerity be it spoken) I have a good con-
science on my side for what I have done, and hope for acceptance from God
in particular for the care I have taken of this Church at the present juncture
when left destitute and exposed to the rage and scorn of all scismaticks, par-
ticularly of those numerous crowd of Heathen called Quakers, who would
make many a triumphing acclamation over her Distress, ridicule her primitive,
ancient ceremonies out of countenance, and trample her wholesome doctrines
under feet, when there was no Priest left within her gates to stand up and
preach repentance, faith and Salvation in Christ Jesus, God manifest in the
flesh, whom I have heard them positively deny. What would signify our
II [1708,
Church when there was none left within her to bear his Christian testimony
against those dark benighted and deluded souls that deny the saving faith, and
are worse than infidels. Sir, could you frame in your mind, any idea of the
fractious nature and circumstances of this place, it would soon incline you to
believe what I so clearly see, that if this Church had but wanted a Minister for
one half year, without a special providence and preventing Grace of God, it
would not have been above three that would sincerely be of her Communion,
whereas we have now some hundreds in the Town and Country, that are of
the Church of England, which by reason of the vast distance many of them
live from the Town they cannot every Sunday give their attendance at the
Church, but I meet them about half way in the Country, about 1 2 miles from
the' Town, once a fortnight to preach to them and catechize their Children, and
in the last and second meeting I have had with them our congregation con-
sisted of fourscore people, and many of them were Welch with whom I have
also agreed to have a meeting every three weeks amongst themselves in the
Welch Track (as it is here called.) The Welch consist here in this County of
New Castle, and bordering upon it, of about 40 family's, being for the most
part deluded and drawn away by Scotch Presbyterians, and a Welch Anna-
baptist Preacher, so that ever since their first settlement in this Country they
have been divided into three parties, an Annabaptist, a Presbyterian, and a
Quaker Congregation, and no wonder there is such a division amongst them
since they never had a Church of England Minister amongst them that could
preach to them in their own Language, most of them understanding no other.
They have to this time lived groping in the dark for want of the Gospel Doc-
trine delivered them in its natural light and purity. I therefore design to
spend much of my time and pains upon them in order to reclaim them from
those pernicious errors, and I am already thus far encouraged that the Anna-
baptist preacher has promised to resign up his Meeting house to my service,
and has declared himself to be one of my constant hearers, for he can neither
read nor understand any other language, but the British, which he has to
great perfection, but being likewise as well acquainted myself with my mother
tongue as I am with any other, I hope, with the blessing of God, upon my
endeavors, I shall be able to do much good among them, and in my first
six months account to give you a very comfortable relation of the successful
progress of the Gospel through my Ministry amongst them.
I hope for the Honorable Society's favour and approbation, upon what I
I 708.] I 2
have here offered with respect to what I have already done, and what is my
design to do further in this great work they have thought fit to employ me in ;
and I hope that as long as I shall retain my Christian principles within me or
any just sense or regard to the great charge of the weighty errand I am sent
upon, i shall never, by God's Grace do anything but what in some measure
may prove answerable to the purity of your good intentions in sending me,,
being conscious to myself that I am not only accountable for what I do to that
happy number of good men, the venerable corporation from whom I am sent,
but must be more strictly so to the great Bishop and Shepherd of our Souls,
when I must, stand in Judgment before him at the latter day. And that not
only my reputation lies at stake at home with some of the best men, but my
eternal well-being hereafter in another state does more immediately depend
upon my faithful discharge of my ministry. I pray God to give me sincerity
in what I say, with his grace to act and do accordingly, that I may always bear
the character of, Sir,
Your faithful missionary & humble serv',
THOMAS JENKINS.
P. S. As for the Church Books that were given for Appoquiminy Church,
and the Library allowed for my own use, I have carried them with me, because
the nature of my obligation was, in case of my removal to leave them to the
succeeding Minister or Church Wardens, but there being neither of them, I
presumed to keep them by me till further order from the Society how to dis-
pose of them, and that I shall be sure to comply with. I am willing to let the
Church Books remain in the Church if they would accept of my service there
to read Prayers and preach to them as often as I can till they have another "
Minister sent them, but this they will not accept of I desire, therefore, your
opinion and direction what to do in this Case, as soon as you can.
13 [i7o8.
Rev^ Mr. RUDMAN to the Secretary,
Philadelphia, 26"^ Aug', 1708.
Sir,
My long silence in writing has been occasioned by several accidents. Hav-
ing got now a fair opportunity I shall lay down some remarks of M"'. Evans's
proceedings with me, and state the case of Trinity Church in Oxford. I served
that Church almost three years before I knew of that Christmas mentioned in
your Letter, for which service I have had P" Bills Sixty two pounds Sterling,
and out of that money I paid M". Chubb for half a year's service fifteen pounds
this Country money, and to Michael Booth five pounds seven shillings, an old
contracted debt, for Ceiling the Church, which debt nobody would contribute
any thing towards, but would lay hold of the Bounty of the Queen, to wit, the
Lead and the Glass that was sent over and sold here for ten pounds to the use
of the Church, which rather than I was willing to consent to, I paid that debt
out of my own pocket.
I tried at the first to walk to the Church and backward, being eighteen
Miles, but I quickly found my strength would not hold out, therefore I hired a
Horse in Town, which was very chargeable and forced me to buy me one of
my own. Now, Sir, I desire you to cast up these things and consider them,
and you will undoubtedly conclude that it hardly has been Water and Bread
for my family to live on by so small a revenue. In consideration hereof, when
M'. Evans was preparing himself for England I thought it was the best oppor-
tunity I ever could meet with (he knowing my services and circumstances as
well as I myself) ; with his instigation therefore I drew a Bill upon the Honor-
able Society for £^0 sterling, delivering it into his hands, upon Condition and
promise that he should deliver it to nobody, but to the Treas' M"". Hodges ; if
answered well and good, if not answered then to send it me back without any
molestation or further trouble ;. but my simplicity was deceived, for no sooner
M'. Evans came to Virginia, but he sold my Bill and took money for it, and in
London dwindled the case so that under a special favour towards me he did
extricate himself, and put my feet in the same fetters in which they were be-
fore, for I understand that I must work for a dead horse for almost two years
1708.] 14
together. This has occasioned me to leave Oxford, and resign the place up
to M''. Chubb, and never to have to do with it any more.
I am a sickly man, and now for seven weeks together in a consumption ; I
have buried lately one of my daughters and most that come to see me give
me up for a dead man which I do believe also : If I should die this time, what
a miserable family should I leave behind me, a helpless widow and two poor
small children which cannot procure a farthing to pay the protests.
Now to conclude : considering what is said I will rather hope that the
Honorable Society will extend their favorable pity and compassion on me,
than expect disheartened words and hard answers, and so I remain
Your's and the honorable Society's
most humble and dutiful Serv',
AND. RUDMAN
Rev'' M\ ROSS to the Secretary,
Chester, 28"" Aug', 1708.
Sir,
I wrote to you not long ago by Capt" Hammerton of Pensylvania, and in
my Letter endeavoured to lay before you a full and succinct account of the
state of the Church at New Castle, where The Rev"^ M^ Jenkins now serves,
I having removed to Chester upon M'. Nichols's going to Maryland. I
acquainted you in my former Letter of my design of leaving New Castle, but
I expected- that what in a great measure forced me to remove would have
been redressed. But upon M". Jenkins's deserting Appoquiminy, the place he
was sent to, my people took less notice of my grievances and grew careless
of redressing them, in hopes that, if I should remove, M'. Jenkins would settle
among them, without insisting on such things, which I demanded in. order to
live comfortably in the place. All that I requested of the Churchwardens was
this, that since the Congregation was pleased to subscribe some small encour-
agement for my maintenance in the place, and that now I had a family which I
must take care to provide for, they would be so kind as to allow me a conven-
ient house and to collect what the hearers were pleased to subscribe and con-
15 [i7o8.
tribute towards my subsistance ; the Church Wardens not willing to take -that
trouble upon them, and understanding that my Brother M'. Jenkins was fond
to settle there, upon his abandoning his proper charge, they neglected and
postponed to give me any satisfaction, being assured I would not insist upon
any such thing. The principal men of the Church at Chester, hearing of my
design to leave New Castle, addressed me to stay among them in M''. Nichols'
place, which I condescended at last to do, when the Church Wardens of New
Castle plainly shewed they had no mind to do what was possible and easy for
them to perform, and necessary for me in order to continue among them.
New Castle is a place where everything is extraordinary dear, and a man that
has a family cannot subsist upon the Society's Bounty of _;^5o per annum. I
know that the Congregation there would have done anything for me that lay
in their power, were it not that some who bore some secret grudge towards
me, for not conniving at their scandalous practices, had too much influence
upon one of the Church Wardens, and by their insinuations moved the
Gentlemen to make no steps for my encouragement, but egg'd him to invite
M'. Jenkins, who was not so well acquainted with their manner of conversation.
No man ever had, I thank God, the love and esteem of his people more than
I had the affection and favor of those that loved goodness in New Castle, and
I had not been obliged to leave them, had it not been for the carelessness and
indifferences of some that were intrusted with the .management of the affairs of
the Church, and their unhappy easy tempers of being led away by those whose
greatest calamity it is to hear the rebukes of a Clergyman. I hope the Society
will approve of my removal, considering that it did not spring from choice but
necessity. I have been forced to contract debts to maintain me at New Castle,
and nothing but the contributions of the people or an augmentation of my
salary would have saved me from contempt^there, or running in debt which I
should never be able to pay. What moved M'. Jenkins to leave Apoquimo
I leave it to himself to inform you about. I must confess, without incurring
the censure of an Informer, that his conduct has few Vouchers here — his
encouragement to settle there, and the large field he had, of reaping a plentiful
harvest being great and worthy of his consideration ; however I hope he may
be very useful at New Castle, especially among his countrymen, who are set-
tled near to that place, but disaffected to the Church. I cannot pretend to
give you any account from my own experience of the Church at Chester, only
that the Congregation- is but small, which is owing, as far as I understand, to
i7o8.] 1 6
those unhappy turns of affairs that happened in M^ Nichols's time. I shall
take care to write home a full relation of the state of this Church per first
opportunity, being obliged to close at this time through the importunity of the
Bearer. I am,
Sir,
Your most obliged & most humble Serv',
GEO. ROSS.
Rev M\ CRAWFORD to the Secretary.
Kent County, Dover- Hundred in
Pensylvania, 31^' Aug', 1708.
Hon" Sir,
Yours I received dated June 4* 1707, per M'. Talbot; wherein you desire
frequent Letters ; this I readily comply with, but I live in the Country where
no ships come, and under a hundred Miles scarce can have a Letter deliv-
ered or put on Board of any Vessel, and then some misgive, and many oppor-
tunities slip when I know not or cannot wait on them. Next you blame me
(or seem to do so) because my Vestry wrote home some of their own circum-
stances ; it was their own notion to do so, and to deny the people a request
that is harmless you lose their favour, and again I did readily comply with
them because I thought their condition and circumstances might be as well
received at their own hands as by my pen. Next you desire particular
accounts from me according to a Scheme laid down by the Society, and to all
the heads thereof; this I never saw. I never received any from any hand; I
only conceive that those particulars following may be required, which I shall
answer :
As to the number of Inhabitants in the County I know not ; I never saw
their Court Roll.
As to the number of my hearers, I sometimes have more, sometimes have
less, according to the weather. I preach in the Church and two or three places
more, the County being above fifty miles long ; and those that are my hearers
one day, not many are the next, and sometimes I have' 30, 40, 50, 70, 100, 150
17 [1708.
and upwards, may be 200, a great many whereof (I think) have some good
tincture of Religion, at least of well meaning. But how many of them are
(in omnibus) for the Church of England as by Law established there, I know
not ; some of them I know are of a dissenting temper in Government (which
I do not admire, there being at my entry not one man in the County that
understood the prayer Book, no, not so far as to, answer the psalms or other
parts of the Service till I taught them privately) but all are satisfied with the
doctrine of the Church so that they have no grudge on that account; only
when some itenerant Presbyterian Preachers come amongst us some make
breaches to go hear them, for all their Sermons with us have been on Work
days, but many will not, so that I have none but a heathenish people called
Quakers (several thereof are come over) that absent from the Worship of
God as opportunity offers, other opinions make no debate to hear me, but
how many Quakers there is I know not, but if we had the Government estab-
lished we should have power.
As for the number of Communicants, I have ordinarily above twenty or
thirty odd, but never 40 in a day.
For the number baptized by me in other places I know not, but in my own
charge I have, young and old, baptized 220 or 230. Married 22 couple these
three years of my residence here ; our justices do marry frequently here,
because the Law allows.
As for my Order in preaching, I preach sometimes twice a week. I have
occasionally thrice, but I never fail four times in three weeks, one Sunday in
the upper end. of the County; another in the Church; the third in the lower
end, and then a week-day's sermon in some corner, and then the following
Sunday in the Church, &^ I catechise the Children before the Sermon all the
summer — cold weather I don't. This is as full, as true and just account as I
can now give of the place (this accepted) that many well meaning people want
Prayer Books very much, there being none in the County but what I give
them, nor can we have for money, and indeed many have not money to buy
with, but of this I'll mind the Treasurer.
As to the order of the Society, to give an account of those of my hearers
that have contributed to build Churches, in a word, I know not any has given
one farthing to any but to our own.
As for their names that subscribe to me, and their sums, I have not the
catalogue. I have seen it, but the Churchwarden has it, only I tell you that
i7o8.] 1 8
you have all in that address for a minister to Dover Hundred sent to my Lord
of London, which (if I remember) I delivered to the Society, and several of
the best of those are dead, in whose place I have this year, not before, got
some small subscriptions, but our subscriptions in America are larger than
our Benefice, but whatever the subscriptions be, this I can say, upon the word
of a Minister, that these three years that I have been in this place, I have not
had twenty pounds Pensylvania Money per annum, which is but a small bene-
fice, considering it is paid me, not in Silver, but as people are able, in Coin, &".
It is true there is more than ;^5o Pensylvania money subscribed, but I cannot
have it. Some are backward, many pretend they are not able the years are
so bad, and to use the Law for it I never will, for that will frustrate my Mis-
sion and the designs of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, render my person odious
to them, and so my ministry and preaching ineffectual, and I be looked upon
as a hireling only ; severe methods are not to be taken here to gain converts
by. So whatever is subscribed is to no advantage to me while it is not paid,
but what I receive you shall have a yearly account.
As for the Society for reformation of manners, I have done and still do
encourage it ; and indeed at my request it was erected, and first by my Ves-
try, whereof one CapP Rodeny, Justice of peace, was my principal assistant.
The Methods are most partly taken out of the Book of the Society for refor-
mation of manners, with some few variations, however. We punished all that
offended, but now our Work is easy. Our meetings were once monthly, but
now are quarterly, and then have little or no business, possibly not one found
guilty in that time in all the County.
As for the Negroes I have been at pains, for I sometimes at the Church
Porch teached them the principles of religion, though many are very dull, and
when I am not employed I catechise the Children.
As for the Society's Instructions, I shall be glad to receive them ; none
shall be more observant than I, and for writing often, tho' I do, I understand
my Letters do miscarry ; so I hope if my Letters be not so frequent as other
Missionaries, I shall be excused because I have not so good opportunities,
and withall I have been sick spring and fall, not able to go abroad, but yet I
understand that some of my Letters misgive, as also Letters from the Society
(I fear) to me, for I have not had a Letter these two years, but by M^ Talbot ;
nay, my Attornies Letters, many of them, never come to my hand, as I am
informed by his last.
19 [i7o«.
I have nothing new to suggest, but that I have nothing to intice me to this
place, but the Sobriety of the people. This is all my comfort, others I have
none, for many of the Comforts of life are very far withdrawn from me.
■Sir, I trouble your patience no more, only I beg your prayers on the Church
here and on me in particular, that I may be serviceable therein, and I pray God
to bless you and .all those Good and noble spirits that are employed in that
Glorious Work of the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God him-
self strengthen you and incourage and bear you up in all difficulties. Excuse
the length of this, from,
Honored Sir,
your assured friend and humble Serv'
in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
THO: CRAWFORD.
Sir,
I would beg both your Letters and advice often if it be not too much
trouble, and none shall be more observant. M". Black is sick of the ague,
but his arrival has removed the charge of that place from my shoulders, which
I undertook willingly for the good of the Church.
Rev" M\ EVANS to the Secretary.
Philadelphia, 7"" March, 170,.
Much Honored Sir,
I take this first opportunity from Philadelphia to return my hearty thanks
for the frequent demonstration you gave me at London of your favours to me,
and to let you know that I shall always preserve a due sense of them. By the
assistance of the Almighty Protector of Mankind we arrived safe at New York
after a dangerous and tedious passage of eleven Weeks. My Lord Lovelace,
who took particular notice of your kind recommendation, & gave me more
marks of his favour than I could deservedly expect, preserved his health
during our unpleasant voyage, but since our arrival at New York he fell very
ill and continued so for some time ; but is so far recovered of his indisposition
as to be able to attend the first Assembly now sitting at Amboy in East Jer-
sey. The death of My Lord's second son since his arrival at New York is
much lamented by his Lordship. I am very sorry to give you an account of
M--. Rudman's death, whose cure is supplied by M^ Clubb, who gives good
satisfaction to those people at Oxford, and to my certain knowledge the num-
ber of the people have increased since he entered upon that Cure, and by all
that I can learn and the Character that his parishioners give of him, he is
sober and diligent as you will find by their address to the Honorable Society
ever since he entered on that Cure. But the School has not flourished under
his care, especially since he served the cure of Oxford. Yet I must tell with
great regret that M'. Ross (of whom according to my opinion of the person at
that time I gave the Venerable Society a good character) left his cure of New
Castle and induced M^ Jenkyns to leave Appoquiminy, who is now returned
to his own cure since my arrival ; what with the orders sent over by me to
the Missionaries, and what with some arguments used with him, he is sensible
that he was ensnared to disobey the orders of his superiors, and resolved for
the future punctually to observe the Injunctions of the Venerable Society^
whose pardon he humbly craves. He is very well approved for his preaching
and Godly conversation, and has baptised and been instrumental to persuade
several Quakers in this place to join with the Church of England. But M'.
George Ross, who began well, is far from being prevailed on by the Society's
Order to keep to his own Cure ; that he came to Chester upon M'. Nichols' re-
moval to Maryland, and has now after he has ruined two Churches, with great
sorrow of heart do I speak it, a design of making a faction here, and to enter
upon M'. Clubb's School, before New Castle and Chester are provided for,
and that he has obtained a Licence from my Lord of London to keep this
School which is endowed by Her Majesty with £21'^ per annum: I have signi-
fied this to my Lord of London. I hope you will think of some suitable
remedy to cure these growing evils, for I must do that Justice to God's Church
whose cause I plead as to say that I believe the consequences of M"". Ross's
conduct will be more fatal to this province than that of the other Gentleman,
you censured for entering violently into another Man's church ; for how
dreadful a consideration is it, that all those people must generally want the
Ordinances of Christ and the Doors of two churches should be shut up and
the money of piously disposed persons so misemployed that now all given to
M'. Nichols, his Mission, and that of M^ Ross, are lost for those people that
have been once of the Church, and many of them never rightly established in
21 [1709-
their principles, will be irrecoverably lost from the Church of England. I can-
not enlarge, the Ship's just falling down and being also dbliged to go into the
Country to preach. I rest with my profound regards to the Venerable Society,
begging that when they address the Throne of Grace, they may pray God to
prosper my Ministerial Function, who am,'
Honored Sir,
Your most humble and faithful serv',
EVAN EVANS.
I have no time to have the Letter transcribed, being in extraordinary
haste, which pray pardon.
Rev'^ M\ ROSS to the Secretary.
Chester, (f" March, 1709.
Sir,
I took care to inform you long since of my removal to New Castle, and
the reasons moving me to change my Station, since which time your Letter by
M^ Evans came to hand, together with some resolves of the Honorable
Society. I cannot devine what weight my reasons may have with the Board,
to justify my proceedings. But I am persuaded they will not judge me by a
Law whereof I was invincibly ignorant ; and most certainly I was of their
Order, with respect to the removal of their Missionaries from the places they
are sent to, when I left New Castle. Since M''. Jenkin's return to Appoquim-
iny I received a Letter from the Church Wardens of New Castle with prom-
ises of encouragement. If they will redress my former Grievances I design by
the Grace of God to go back to my former charge ; but provided I do return
and find the place still disagreeable to my constitution, and prejudicial to my
health, I humbly desire that the Honorable Society would be pleased to allow
me to settle in a more agreeable place, and not to confine me to a corner of
the Country which has proved very hurtful to my person. The congregation
at Chester is but small, some differences that happened among them in M'.
Nichols' time having rendered some members disaffected and created an aver-
sion in others that were somewhat disposed to join with the Church. I can
1709.] 22
safely say I have not been wanting in healing their breaches, while I have
been among them, but what effect my endeavors have had in this Church,
time will produce. The order of the Society, enjoining their Missionaries to
give an exact and full account of their conversions of Heathens and Infidels,
seems to be built upon a Mistake which lyes in this, but the Missionaries are
supposed to preach to the Indians (for so I take the word Heathens). We
are confined to some particular charges among the English Inhabitants who
are generally seated on the front of the Country ; whereas the Indians have
their abodes a great way back in the Woods, so that we. seldom see or con-
verse with one another, unless it be when leaving their Winter Quarters they
straggle up and down among the English plantations and villages to meet
with a Chapman for their Burthen of Skins, or with a meal of Victuals ;
besides, few of them understand English, and we are altogether ignorant of
their Language, for as we had it not when we came to America, so we are
otherwise employed in the Country than to be able to learn Tongues, so
that we are utterly incapable of giving them any notion of Religion ; nay, lay-
ing aside this consideration of wanting their several tongues, those few that
can talk a little English, have their understandings so strangely darkened
(which is more dismal) in spiritual things that let a man beat his brains to
make himself intelligible to them, he has just as little satisfaction as if he had
discoursed some carved head. They are jusdy accounted politic and subtle
in making Bargains ; but abstracting from their worldly concerns, I aver they
are veluti pecora qu(Z natura prona atq ventri obedientia finxit ; nay, as far as
I could learn nullum nomen inter eos invent, quod animce immortalitatem
significat. I will not say but those that are more conversant with them are
able to give a better account of them. I would be understood to speak
of them, not with contempt but with regret, and from my own observation.
I desire to know whether or not the Society expects from their Mission-
aries the names of those that have been reclaimed from immoralities by their
Ministry ; if they do, though I am unwilling to publish to the World who have
been reputed immoral, yet you shall have a Catalogue of such persons, as soon
as you please to require it.
This is all that occurs at present to.
Sir,
Your very humble serv',
GEO. ROSS.
23 {1709.
Rev' M\ EVANS to the Secretary.
Philadelphia, i 6* June, 1 709.
Honored Sir,
By a Brigatine that sailed from this place in March last I gave you an
account of the Deplorable state of all the Churches from Appoquineminck to
this place, oocasioned by the ill conduct of M'. George Ross, whom I formerly
represented to the Honorable Society as a person of a laudable character,
which to the great grief of all his Brethren, and all good men in this province,
he hath unhappily forfeited by quitting his cure at New Castle, and removing
to thester which he is going to leave with a design to possess himself of the
School of Thiladelphia and a Lecturer's place in my Church ; and he hath pro-
ceeded so far already as to be able to make a faction in this Church, willing
to make subscriptions for his maintenance, who have contributed nothing to-
wards my support since my return in December last. The Glory of God, and
the good of his church, and the sense of my duty obliged me to oppose the
unwarrantable measures taken by M'. Ross, using all the means in my power
to persuade him to return to his own Cure where the people offered him
£^0 per ann,um and a house, and in order to that I made a journey to Ches-
ter, where he lately resided, and admonished him to return to New Castle
where the Honorable Society had first placed him ; his answer was, that they
were hard Taskmasters, and that he intended to disengage himself from their
service, and since he had an account from Colonel Nicholson that his Salary
was withdrawn, he is gone for Maryland, in order to offer his services there
to one of their parishes vacant by the death of one M'. Liliston, and, if he can-
not make a better pennyworth, is resolved to return and to pursue his design
upon the Church and School here. But I am resolved not to admit him to
preach in my Church unless he be appointed my assistant by his superiors at
home, which God forbid, for it would be a means to ruin this infant Church
(for the service whereof I have exposed my life to. many dangers), and the
divisions would' last here ; for what reason can I have to believe that M^ Ross
will take, any directions from me about the management of this Church, who
would not obey all the Bishops and supreme Governors of the Church of
1709.] 24
which your Venerable Society consists. If I can by exerting farther endeav-
ours put a stop to his career, yet the misunderstanding between me, and that
party that espouseth his Interest (one of which, though you may little expect
it, hath had frequently the honor of sitting at your Board) will, I fear, prove
hurtful to this Church ; though I behave myself with all gentleness and meek-
ness towards him and his abettors. Now, Right Reverend Fathers, Honor-
able Lords and Gentlemen, I am resolved as far as it lyes in my power to pre-
vent any incroachment that he or any other shall make upon this Church, and
at the same time treat my opposers with a Christian Spirit, and by the Grace
of God give them no just advantage against me ; make the glory of God,
and promoting the Salvation of Souls committed to my charge, my chief aim,
which will recommend me to the favor of God, and entitle me to your protec-
tion. Begging your prayers and directions for my future conduct, I remain,
with all imaginable defference.
Your most highly obliged and Devoted Serv',
EVAN EVANS.
I think myself obliged to add something relating to M'. Jenkyns, whose
case is very different from that of M"". Nichols and M"". Ross, in whose vindi-
cation I have nothing to offer. At his first arrival at Appoquinimick, being
young and short in his experience, he was imposed upon by M"". Ross, who by
proposing to him what great service he could do at New Castle, by the con-
sent and advice of Colonel Quary, who notwithstanding has since wrote
against him to your Honorable Society and My Lord of London, complaining
of a fault that the Colonel himself encouraged M'. Jenkyns to commit, who,
upon receiving your Orders, returned to his own appointed Cure, and ex-
pressed to me great trouble and sorrow for having disobeyed his Spiritual
Governors, and giveth me reason to believe that he will exactly conform to
your future directions, could he be but so happy as to be received to your
favour, and thought worthy of your usual encouragement to other Mission-
aries. He is beloved by the people of his Congregation, and giveth them
good satisfaction by his preaching and living, and did I not sincerely believe
this I would not presume to recommend him to the Venerable Society. I
have sqen M'. Clubb's case signed by the Members of his Congregation, and
believe it to be true.
EVAN EVANS.
25 [1709.
Vestry of New Castle, Delaware, to the Society.
(EXTRACT.)
New Castle on Delaware,
17* October, 1709.
May it please your Honors,
We received yours from the Secretary, p'' M"'. Keeble, dated 1 5* Febru-
ary, 1 70g, in answer to which we here send you a true and impartial account of
what occurs to our memories in relation to the conduct of M'. George Ross
whilst our Minister, and the encouragement we gave him.
We subscribed towards his maintenance the sum of ^50 p' Annum, to be
paid from the time of his arrival, during his continuance amongst us as our
Pastor, which would have been enlarged had he duly attended his Ministry;
but his frequent absence from his Church for the space of three weeks or a
month at a time (without any supply, and once particularly the whole week
next before Easter) occasioned several of his hearers to keep back the con-
tribution they intended him.
As to a Vestry, we never had any, M'. Ross seeming always averse to it ;
but during the time of his continuance here as our minister acted, in all
matters relating to the church, according to his own pleasure without any
interruption from us.
The opening of the church was done by the Reverend M"'. Rudman, late
Minister of Philadelphia, and himself, and called by the name of Emanuel,
without any notice thereof given to the undertakers for erecting the said
churches or any of his Parishioners, and unknown to any of them before
publication thereof.
His leaving us was sudden and surprising, and altogether without our
consent, and notwithstanding our earnest solicitation for his stay amongst us,
assuring him of all the encouragement we were able to give towards his main-
tenance (which would have amounted to more than his former subscriptions),
he speedily removed to Chester, as Minister there. We afterwards entreated
his return (as your Honors may see by the enclosed, which is a true copy, to
which is added his answer); his demands we found to be large, and more than
so small a congregation (considering their poverty and the charge they have
been at in erecting a church, for which they are considerably in debt) were
1709.] 26
able to comply with ; nevertheless we assured him of ;^5o p' annum, besides
his house rent, which, with the Society's Bounty, we believed to be a sufficient
maintenance for a minister, here, or at least would have satisfied him till, by
the encrease of his hearers, there might have been a new addition, which, in
all probability, would soon have happened, many of the dissenting party being
inclineable at that time to come to church ; now, although he accepted of the
above said offers and promised to return to his charge within six weeks, and
in the mean time to supply the church constantly by himself or some other
Minister, with which we were content, until we saw that he never designed to
perform anything of that agreement with us, but contrary to all his engage-
ments, removed from Chester to Philadelphia, to keep School, where he now
is, to our great disappointment and discouragement, having thereby prevented
and delayed us from giving your Honors an account of our miserable con-
dition for want of a Minister.
And notwithstanding what we have above related, we must do him the
justice to say (that whilst our Minister) his life and conversation was answer-
able to his sacred function, save only what we have before expressed.
We do sincerely assure your Honors of the truth of what we have above
related, as to his conduct amongst us, without any aspersion on him.
We therefore pray your Honors to consider the state of our church, and
that you would be pleased to send us a Minister of some years and experi-
ence in the affairs of the church that may, by his constant and steady attend-
ance upon his church, be able to prevent unstable minds from wandering, and
gain those who are moderate among the dissenters to allow of the church
service and discipline, and be a constant support to us in all our spiritual ne-
cessities, our long want of the true established ministry giving us more than
ordinary occasion for such a person, which, out of a due sense of our own
wants, we humbly beg your assistance who hath been heretofore so kind to us.
Upon the performance of this our humble request we shall look upon
ourselves bound to do our utmost for such a person, and shall as in duty
bound ever remain.
Your Honors' most obliged, humble Serv'^
RICHARD HALLIWELL, SAM: LOWMAN,
W^ TONGE, JOS: WOOD,
JNo. & EDW° JENNINGS,
W^ GENEST.
2 7 [lyoii,
M\ SINCLARE to the Bishop of London,
(EXTRACT.)
Newcastle on Delaware,
5* January, 1 7^°.
R"^ Rev° Father in God,
May it please your Lordship,
. As to the state of our church, my Lord, we still labour under considerable
discouragements by the number of Dissenters who are too unhappily en-
couraged by our present L' Governor, in so much that they grow more and
more assuming, especially the presbyterian party.
The people here are generally poor, and what is much worse sadly indif-
ferent in the great concerns of Religion ; very backward in promoting the
Interest of the Gospel, especially in giving due attendance on divine service
on the week days, though frequently and in the most endearing manner I have,
both in the house of God and their own houses, exhorted thereto, though on
Sundays there are generally about 80 or 100 that frequent our church, and
since I have been here I have baptized Six children, and administered the
Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to about 1 6 Communicants.
Yours, &■=.,
RORT SINCLARE.
Mr. SINCLARE to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Newcastle on Delaware,
5* January, 17^?.
Worthy Sir,
As to our Society here and wellwishers to the church of England the
number of those that are hearty are very few, and of pretenders not many,
the generality of both very poor and of the latter sort very humoursome, so
I7IO.] 28
that their subscriptions are to be esteemed very precarious, and cannot suffice
to the maintenance of myself, much less support my family if transported hither.
Since my short stay here I have baptized 6 children, and three times
administered the Lord's Supper, and on christmas day last there were i6
Communicants.
Worthy Sir, Yours, &■=.,
RORT SINCLARE.
M'. SINCLARE to the Secretary.
Newcastle on Delaware,
7* Dec', 1 710.
Honorable Sir,
When I wrote to you last, as I then acquainted you, I was very much
indisposed and continued so for some time after, so that I was not capable of
exercising my sacred function ; but when through mercy was recovered I soon
to my grief found a deplorable breach among those that formerly were well
wishers to our church, caused by the Reverend M', George Ross, his leaving
them, and other measures he has since taken.
Besides, the Dissenting Interest is manifestly encouraged here, as is more
fully by our vestry made apparent by their Letter to my Lord of London.
However, in this lamentable posture of affairs, with respect to our church,
as in duty bound, I have been as active as I could, through God's assistance,
to retrieve our reputation and heal our breaches ; and blessed be God, with
some comfortable success, and am in hopes ere long I shall be able to render
a more satisfactory account of our church's recovery out of her (for some
time) languishing condition.
I shall readily on all occasions maintain a free correspondence with the
Honorable Society, and that the Almighty may reward yours' and the rest
of its worthy members' pious endeavors for the propagation of the Gospel in
these our (as well as other) foreign parts is the hearty constant prayer of,
Honorable Sir,
Yours, &".,
ROB^ SINCLARE.
29 1^7^^-
M\ S^. CLARE to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Newcastle in Pensylvania,
30* July, 171 1.
Hon- Sir, ^ J >• /
Since my recovery from that tedious illness, which for some time I labour-
ed under, my labours have been attended with visible success, notwithstanding
the huge multitude of dissenters that abound amongst us. At my arrival
into those parts the congregation belonging to the Church of England was
but very small, and those few of a Laodicean temper, so that even they
lay exposed to be seduced by every wind of doctrine, which moved me to
double diligence, insomuch that, thro' the blessing of God accompanying my
poor endeavours, our congregation is wonderfully increased and stand well
affected to our apostolic church.
Above twenty Quakers are come over to our church; besides, a great many
who never professed any religion have attained to a true sense of religion
and such a right apprehension of their duty as to join cordially in communion
with us, resorting to the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to the due
partaking of which is annexed a promise of all the benefits of our Saviour's
passion and resurrection. The number of communicants, which at my first
coming did not exceed fifteen, is increased to forty odd; our church is a stately
fabrick, but still in distress by reason of the poverty of the people ; there is
much wanting plate for the Communion Table, which we became humble
Supplicants for to the Honorable Society, on whose bounty the flourishing
state of our infant church doth depend.
As to what Newcastle contributes to the support of their Minister is but
very mean, and will not tolerably subsist my family, which obliges me to live
so remote from it and not entertain any thought of transporting them hither,
which no doubt is a trouble to me, altho', indeed, the prosperity of the Church
under my inspection doth more than recompence the loss I sustain that way.
I7II.] 30
To the Honorable Society for Propagating the Gospel in For-
eign Parts:
The Humble Petition of yohn French and Samuel Lowmxm of the Vestry
of the Church of Newcastle on Delaware in the Territories of Pen-
sylvania in Am,erica,
Showeth :
That your Petitioner, out of a deep sense of the prejudice the Church
labours under at present for want of a Minister to officiate, and being grieved
at the ill-use the Dissenters make of such a vacancy, that Town being sur-
rounded with all sorts and sects of them, and even many who are of our
Communion too easily drawn from us, especially under such circumstances,
and tho' your petitioners and the rest of the members of our Church are
very ready and willing and always have been to contribute to the utmost of our
power to the support of a Minister, yet we are few in number, and the most
of that number in such narrow circumstances that the Honble Society's
allowance, with what we can advance, is insufficient to maintain a minister,
upon which account we have been very often desolated, and therefore apply
to the Honorable Society, the worthy Patrons of our Holy Religion in these
parts, not only for a Minister to be sent us as soon as possible, but also for
an addition to the usual Salary, which we hope will prove the happy means of
continuing the dispensation of the Gospel among us ; and whereas the service
of that cure is attended with more than ordinary difficulties, we humbly pray
the Honble Society to take our case into their serious consideration, and to
send us such a person as they in their great prudence shall think proper for
us. We are humbly of opinion that the Rev** M"". Henderson, being a person
of good character and particularly acceptable to our congregation, is capable
of doing good service to our Church, and earnestly pray the Honble Society
to order the said M"^, Henderson to reside amongst us.
All which, together with great want of Schoolmaster to instruct the rising
generation, we presume to lay before the Honble Society, humbly intreating
that of their usual bounty and charity they would relieve us herein, and their
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &•=.
JOHN FRENCH.
SAM^ LOWMAN.
31 [i7i3-
M\ HENDERSON to the Secretary.
Newcastle, July 26'^ 171 3.
Sir,
You will find by my last, and the Letter from our Vestry, that I have used
as much discretion as I possibly could in making my request to the Hon'ble
Society for a Release from my Service in this place, which I hope the Honble
Society will grant me as soon as may be, by appointing another to succeed me
as soon as may be. I cannot in conscience leave it, till I have their answer,
because it is a Town in which there is a large Presbyterian Meeting-house,
whose Minister would make great advantage of such a vacancy, and therefore
as I have joined with our Vestry in praying the Honble Society to appoint
M"". Ross to succeed me, so I renew my request here that the Honble Society
would agree to it. He perfectly understands the Controversy between them
and our Church, and has a considerable Stock of prudence to manage it. I
hope the great desire our Congregation have for him will be a good argument
to persuade that most worthy Society to Grant their request, which, if granted,
it will be very necessary that the same allowance be given him that the
Honble Society conferred on me, viz., Seventy pounds per annum ; else he
will be in a worse condition by far than he is in at present at Chester, for it
is much more expensive living here than there. I hope. Sir, you will com-
municate this to the Hon'ble Society, with my resolution of remaining here
till they send another. I only desire that my Salary be -continued during the
time of my abode here, and do not plead for the benefit of that standing
order that says. Every Missionary that obtains leave from the Honble Society
to remove shall be allowed a year's salary from the time of such Liberty
obtained from that Board. I refer all other affairs to M"". Evans, who is going
home, and who can fully inform the Hon'ble Society, all matters relating to
these parts, and am, with great respect.
Sir,
Your very humble servant,
JACOB HENDERSON.
I7I7-] 32
Petition of M". BIORCK.
To THE Illustrious Society for the Propagating the Gospel in Foreign
Parts :
The humble Petition of Ericus Biorck, clerk, late Minister of Christeen, in
the Province of Pennsylvania,
Showeth :
That your Petitioner exercised his Ministerial function in that Province
for seventeen years, and did upon all occasions promote the Interest of the
English church to the utmost of his power, for which he refers the Honorable
Society to his letters testimonial in the hands of the right Rev"* Father in
God, the Lord Bishop of London. His sudden departure for Sweden puts
him upon this humble address that the Honorable Society would be pleased,
considering the narrowness of his present circumstances, to extend their
bounty to him, that he may be enabled to transport himself to Sweden with
his numerous family, no less than eleven in number.
And your Petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &■=.
ERICUS BIORCK.
A Journal of Tkf". ROSS'S Lahurs in the Gospel during his
short stay in the County of Sussex upon Delaware.
Newcastle, Aug' 27* 171 7.
The Honorable Colonel William Keith, being minded to visit the lower
Countries within his Governm', desired that I among others would accom-
pany him in his intended Circuit ; to which request I readily consented, being
willing to embrace so fair an opportunity of making myself acquainted with
the state of the Church in the County of Sussex, where I had never been,
and supplying its present wants to my power.
33 [i7i7-
Saturday, Aug' 3, 171 7. — His Honor the Gov^ being attended by several
Gentlemen & myself, set sail from Newcastle for Lewis Town in Sussex,
which lies upon one of the Capes of the River Delaware.
Monday, Aug' 5* we arrived at our destined port.
Tuesday, 6*. — I attended the Governor to the Court House of the said
County, where I read divine service, the Justice of the County, with many
others, being present.
Wednesday, 7"". — Service being read in the said Court House, I preached
on these words, " Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
The house was full of People, and many hearkened at the doors and win-
dows. They had not an opportunity of hearing a Minister of the Church a
good while before, and therefore the diligent attention they gave to my dis-
course was the less surprising. I was obliged to dismiss the Congregation
before I could proceed to administer Baptism to those many that came there
to receive it, lest, by taking up too much of the Governor's time, I should
prove a hindrance to him and the Justices in the dispatch of Business.
The number of Children and Infants baptized this day was thirty.
The Zeal & affection of the people of Lewis Town for the Church has
appeared so great of late that they have pitched upon a sober person among
them to read prayers to them every Lord's day, which he does with so great
applause, that the Congregation he supplies as a reader doth visibly increase
every sabbath, M'. Brook, Collector there, a good Zealous churchman, sup-
plies him with Sermon Books, wherein the said Reader reads, much to the
satisfaction of the people. This method I could not but approve of, and re-
commend, in their present Circumstances.
Friday, the 9*. — I preached again, the words I insisted were, "and Behold
one came and said unto him. Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I
may inherit Eternal Life." The Governor and a greater auditory than I had
formerly were present. I baptized one and twenty.
Saturday, 10*. — The Governor, being about to leave the place, in order to
visit Kent County, I set out before him to a place of worship about 16 miles
off from Lewis Town. This place is a small Building erected by a few well
disposed persons, in order to meet together there to serve God according to
the way of the Church of England. They pursue the same methods here that
the Church people do at Lewis, and 'tis well they do, for otherwise the Dis-
senters would make havock of the Church, and insensibly gain the People in
1717.] 34
general over to the meeting ; they are seldom or never without a supply of
Teachers whom the people, though Churchmen by profession, are soon pre-
vailed upon to follow when the Church service is quite disused and laid aside
among them.
This falling away is very much prevented in this County by the help of
those Readers who minister now among the people.
Here I baptized five and twenty.
In this place some adults made application to me for Baptism. But upon
trial of their sufficiency I found they could not be admitted at that time.
However, that I might not discourage them in their good intentions, I gave
them a promise of a speedy return among them, and exhorted them to pre-
pare themselves in the meanwhile as the Church directed.
Sunday, Aug' 11*. — I preached on Eccles: 12: i: to a very large audience
in the upper parts of this County. Here's a Fabrick erected for a church,
but far from being finished. But such as it is, it was of the late in dispute
between the Church and the Presbyterians; for awhile the former made no use
of it. This Encroachm' coming to the Governor's ears, and remonstrated
against the Guilty party as knowing well his honor's integrity and good in-
clinations towards the suffering church, thought it not convenient to insist
upon their claim, and 'tis hoped will give themselves or others no further
trouble about it.
Here I exhorted the people to copy after the Zeal and devotion of their
neighbours, and to fix upon a reader to perform divine service among them
till such time as they were provided with a Minister. I Baptized also children
and Infants to the number of six and twenty.
Total of the Baptized in this County during my week's stay there is one
hundred and two.
By this account it appears that the Churchmen in this County are a con-
siderable Body of People, & endowed with no small zeal for their Church.
They have had several visits paid them by the Rev"^ M'. Addams in mary
Land, and there has been a presbyterian minister settled among them these
many years, and yet their number is so great and their affection to the Church
so constant and unshaken, that, notwithstanding the Solicitations of the one to
draw them away, and the opportunities the other gave them of having their
Children legally baptized, no less than one hundred and odd were received
into the Body of Christ church during the few days I continued among them.
35 [1722.
They have drawn an address to my Lord of London for a pastor ; pray
God enable his Lordship & the Honorable Society to supply their present
wants, and give a favorable answer to their unfeigned, I am persuaded, re-
quest and Petition.
Postscript. — To the above account it may not be improper to add what
concerns the state of the Church in the County of Kent, which Church the
said M'. Ross preached in on his return home from Sussex, as a continuation
therefore of the Journal above specified, what follows is subjoined:
Monday, Aug' 12*. — His honor the Governor arrived at Dover Hundred
in the county of Kent,
Tuesday, i3'\ — The Governor, according to his commendable practice in
the town of Lowis, introduced the doing of Publick business with solemn
prayers. Divine service being over, I gave notice that next day I intended,
if it pleased God, to preach at the Church in the said County. Accordingly
Wednesday, 14* I made good my word. The Governor & magistrates
were present, but for want of timely notice being given the Congregation
was not so numerous as might otherwise be expected. Here, upon the same
account, I baptized but few (viz') thirteen Children and one Adult.
The Inhabitants of this County were heretofore pretty unanimous ; But
being for some years left destitute of a Minister of the Church, many of them
are gone over to the Presbyterian way, & have built them a meeting House
which is monthly supplied by one Teacher or other of that persuasion. What
influence such supplies may have at last upon those that adhere yet to the
Church, God only knows, and a speedy dispatch of a minister among=-t them
can best remedy.
GEO: ROSS,
M". BECKET to the Secretary.
Lewes in Com: Sussex Super,
Delaware, Sepf, i^', 1722.
Sir,
Having now been a year in my parish it may reasonably be expected by
my Honorable patrons that I should send home an account of it, which I now
do in obedience to their Commands, & according to the best observation I
1722.] 36
am capable of making, and shall proceed to it in the method prescribed by
the Honble Society in their Notitia Parochialis,
1. As to the number of Inhabitants of all professions in my parish
(being the whole County of Sussex, which is 50 miles in length and 20 in
breadth), I am not able critically to account for, only thus 'tis generally
believed here that those who are Masters of Families, professing thems' mem-
bers of the Church of England, are almost double the number of the
presbyp", and they treble the number of Quakers, whose interest here is very
inconsiderable,
2. The number of the persons I have baptised here the last half year
(adults & infants) is 48.
3. The number of adults baptised here this last half year is 5, 2 whereof
are Mothers of several Children, each one white servant and two negro
Slaves.
4. The number of Communicants at 2 of my Churches, where the Sacra-
ment has been administered during the last half year, in all 20.
5. The number of those who are Masters of considerable families, most
of them professing themselves members of the Church of England, 136;
besides many single persons, servants and negroes, that constantly attend
Divine Service.
6. The number of Dissenters of all sorts I imagine does not equal, or at
most not exceed, the number of Conformists; here are but 3 or 4 families of
papists in the whole country.
7. As to the number of Indian natives, it does not exceed 120; they have
only a small Settlement on the utmost border of my parish where it adjoins
to mary Land; they are extremely barbarous and obstinately ignorant of the
Christian Religion ; they have notwithstanding sometimes an idolatrous
cantica of their own.
8. To speak in general of my parishioners, several seem to be reformed
since my coming — these two, swearing and drunkenness, which for some
years had been too Epidemical here, being now generally banished, and many
become much more sober and serious. I need not mention the esteem my
Hearers have for me, since that is kindly expressed, not only in a Letter of
Thanks, writ of their own accord, and directed to the Honorable Society, which
I hope ere this time is come to your hands; But also in their generous offers to
induce me to stay among them, when they understood I was warmly solicited
37 [1723.
to accept a vacant parish in Maryland, whose income is very considerable; and
in gratitude I am bound to say I receive from them as many instances of their
respect as I expect, considering the meanness of their circumstances in a
place but newly settled.
The frame of our Church in Lewes was raised on a high bank in the
Centre of our Town, on the 6* of October last, and we hope to finish it the
next Summer. The other two Churches we have raised at distant places in
the parish, we have gathered some money towards finishing, and intend to fit
them up with all convenient speed. Be pleased, good Sir, to pardon the
prolixity of my account. I am, with all sincerity,
Sir,
Your most obed' & most humble Servant,
W^ BECKET,
April 6* 1723.
P. S. — Be pleased to excuse me, Sir, for delaying this Account so long.
My Parish is situate 160 Miles from Philadelphia, to which port we have
rarely any vessels passing hence in the winter, so that I had no opportunity
of sending this Letter to you till the Spring.
ikf. ROSS to the Secretary,
Newcastle, 17"" Sepf, 1723.
Sir,
The Rev** M'. Hesselins waits upon the Society with the hearty good
wishes of all his good brethren the Clergy in Pennsylvania, but of none
more than myself, who have had the advantage as well as satisfaction of
being his near neighbour for several years. He is a man of undoubted
veracity, so that his account of Church affairs may be firmly relied on.
The Church at New Castle is environed with greater numbers of Dissent-
ers than ever, by reason of these fresh recruits sent us of late from the North
of Ireland. They call themselves Scotch Irish ignavum pecus, and the bitter-
est railers against the Church that ever trod upon American ground. I wish
1723.] 38
I had better neighbours or keener weapons to stop their carreer. Bishop
King's peices are found the most effectual to that purpose. It would be taken
as a singular mark of the Honble Society's regard for this Church, would
they be pleased to supply us with two or three dozen of the above great
man's Books, concerning the invention of men ; & with as many of the parts
he wrote to maintain the said Book against one Boise. This would be a
welcome present to a people who are threatened with an inundation of these
fiery zealots, to give us laws & rule over us with a high hand. There has
been no addition to our number of Communicants since Easter last, nor have
I baptized any Adults save one in that time. I have no more to add at
present, but that I have accustomed myself of late to preach twice on Sun-
days during the summer, and once in two weeks on a Litany day in the
Country Church, that I might not be outstriped in diligence by those who
would amuse the world by a more than ordinary application in Lecturing.
I am. Sir, &"=,
GEO. ROSS.
Members of the Church of England, in Kent County on
Delaware in Pennsylvania, to the Society,
October 20* 1723.
Showeth :
That whereas, we, your Petitioners, having at heart, above all other things,
the honor of God and the salvation of our Souls, & for that end being very
desirous that a sound and orthodox Minister of God's word might be sent to
us, & settled among us, that so we might be the better instructed in our duty,
& have the benefit of God's holy word and Sacraments duly administered to
us — Did, about the space of 20 years ago, make our humble application to
the Honble Society, and that our humble request had a Missionary sent
over to us, the Rev*^ M'. Crawford, and again upon our humble address, some
years after, another was sent over, the Rev^ M"^. Henderson, who left us
Anno 171 1. The occasion of their departure from us having been particularly
reported to the Honble Society at the times when they severally left us. We
humbly suppose that a repetition at this time is unnecessary. But so it is
39 [1724.
that since that time we have been wholly destitute of a sound & faithful
Minister of Jesus Christ, & a great number of our people are by this means
gone over to the Presbyterians & Quakers. Our house for religious worship,
built for the service of the Church of England, is empty. Meeting houses
are full, enthusiasts abound, the Sabbath is prophaned. The interest which the
Church of England once had here is in great danger to be entirely lost, and
we, your said humble Petitioners, have no opportunity to worship God publicly,
in a manner agreeable to the word of God and our own consciences. Where-
fore we, your Lordship's most humble Petitioners, the subscribers, do most
earnestly request, if your Lordships will be pleased graciously to consider
this our desolate condition, & to send us, with what convenient speed may be,
a Priest of the Church of England, to instruct and edify us in the most holy
faith of our Lord & Saviour Jesus ; and we humbly request that the Honble
Society will be kindly pleased, of their own wonted goodness, in considera-
tion of our poor & low estate, to bestow on us such Missionary in their
accustomed bounty ; and we do promise hereby that we shall be ready and
willing to contribute to the better support of such Missionary, according to
the best of our abilities, to express our utmost gratitude for so desirable a
blessing.
And your s"^ Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &"=.
Af. BECKET to the Secretary.
Lewes near Cape Henslopen,
May 19, 1724.
Sir,
In my last, which I know not whether you received or not, I made bold to
assign the reason why it's not in my power to write to you every half year, as
I ought. Our great River Delaware, being shut up in winter, & this Town
where I reside, being 1 60 miles from Philadelphia or New York (both equal
distant from this place), I have seldom any safe opportunity to send away my
Letters for London but in the Summer season. I received a Box, with Prayer
Books, Catechisms, & a Cambridge Concordance, in Oct"^ last, by Capt" Rich-
1724.] 40
ards, for which very great & seasonable favor my vestry & self desire hereby
to return our most humble thanks to the Honble Society.
The number of persons baptized in my Parish for the whole year past
(viz), from March 25* 1723, to 1724, according to my Register, are 82, about
1 1 or 1 2 whereof are adults.
In my Journey last October, to a Convention of the Society's Mis-
sionaries at Chichester, I preached a Sermon in the County of Kent (as I
constantly do when I pass that way), where they have a large church but no
minister. There I baptized 21 persons in one day (besides several at other
times), 15 of which number were children & 6 adults. I had a very numerous
congregation, & a petition was then drawn up to the Honble Society to re-
quest a Missionary for that place, a copy whereof has been transmitted to
you, & I suppose you'l receive it with this Letter. I must beg of you to ex-
cuse the copies not being attested by the Prothonotary of Kent County, from
whence the Petition comes, he being a Quaker, & it was thought might make
some difficulty of it ; therefore the Petitioners had recourse to the officer in
our County, who is of our own persuasion. There is very great want of a
Missionary in that County, there being a great number of people who join
heartily with the Church of England, & such as I am well persuaded would
contribute liberally towards the support of a minister. Others there are who
have been of all religious persuasions, but now I think I may say are of none,
& therefore still have more need of an instructor.
We have almost finished the building of our church in Lewes. Divine
service has been performed in it ever since the beginning of this year. I
have the satisfaction to acquaint you that tho' we have now 3 churches in
County, yet none of them will contain the hearers that constantly attend the
church service. People at this season of the year make no account of riding
20 miles to church, a thing very common in this part of America, which is
sufficient to shew that our people have a great value for the favor of the
society, and that our labour in this distant part of the world is not in vain. I
have no more to add at present, but
I am. Sir,
Your most ob' & most humble serv',
W^ BECKET.
41 [1725.
M\ ROSS to the Secretary.
New Castle, 4 June, 1725.
Sir,
After I had read yours of 25 Aug' last, I was pretty confident the Books
you mentioned in your Letter were on this side the main, but when I enquired
I was soon convinced. I hoped in vain, so that as to any help at present, to
enable me to deal with gainsayers, I find myself where I was, saving your
good advice, which I shalh carefully observe in my endeavors to secure peace
and unity in the great mistical body. The copy of minutes herewith enclosed
I humbly offer to the perusal of my Honorable Superiors, to satisfy them
where I alternately serve the Church, and why I have partly resolved to
preach at New Castle but every 3. Sunday. The People here, in whose
bounty I have but a small share, think I do them an injury because I preach
any where else on Sundays, alleging that I am allowed a Salary from home
merely to serve them. On the other hand, I made bold to acquaint them that
if they take no more care to support me then they have done heretofore, they
have no right at all to my service. To make this assertion good, I laid before
them a Copy of what you wrote to the Church at Apoquinimink. Now,
whether they or I have the right side of the Argument, I appeal to you, and
beg your resolution by the first opportunity. To speak frankly, Sir, were it
not for some assistance I have for serving a small parish in Mary Land, on
the confines of New Castle County, I could not possibly stay in this penurious
Town, and if the Honorable Society will think fit to confine me and my
service to New Castle, 'tis more than probable I shall be forced to follow their
late Missionary, M'. Humphreys, who was drove from Chester by the inhu-
man neglect of his Parishioners. In my Mary Land cure, there is an apparent
reformation. The people are become sober and serious, however remarkable
they were formerly for their unbounded latitude. When I officiate at New
Castle, I commonly preach twice a day on Sundays, or otherwise in the after-
noon. I catechize, according to Doctor Beveridge's Method, and sometimes
when i have none to catechize, I presume to explain, without using notes,
some portion of the 1=' or 2""* Lesson, which, being a practice among our
1725.] 42
Dissenters, serves to cool their prejudices, if not totally to reconcile them to
the Church ; especially considering that I am fixed where, to speak without
Book is looked upon by many to be absolutely necessary to edification. The
greatest number of those who communicate at Emanuel Church, at New
Castle, are livers in the Country, who have built Saint James Chapel, in their
own Neighbourhood. Here I have served on work days for some years, but
now, since your Letter to Apoquinemink has come to their knowledge, they
insist upon my coming among them on the Lord's day, promising to answer
the expectation of the Venerable Board. I have actually given them some
hopes of complying with their request, but with the utmost submission to my
superiors, leaving it to them to direct me in this point, as I shall seem to them
most convenient. But, at the same time, I beg leave to say that where my
Mission is attended with greatest success, and my labors meet with the truest
regard, there I humbly conceive I may, within my proper bounds, most cor-
dially as well as most frequently exercise my ministerial Function.
I am, Sir, Your most Obd' Serv',
GEO^ ROSS.
M'. ROSjS to the Secretary.
New Castle, Oct' 9, 1725.
Sir,
In your Letter of 25"' Aug', 1724, you was pleased to tell me that the
Honorable Society had ordered 3 dozen of the Inventions of men, &c., and
as many of the defence of that Excellent Book, to be sent to me, for which
favor I return them my very hearty thanks. I am- now to- acquaint you that I
have received the complete number of the Inventions, &c., you mentioned,
but not one of the defence. This I suppose proceeded from an oversight in
those to whose care this affair was committed, and will, I hope, be redressed
by the first opportunity. As a motive to this, permit me to observe to
you, that many under my care, especially in the Country, are very much
strengthened and confirmed in their affection to the Established Church
since the Society's present has been distributed among them, and particularly
43 [i727-
that upon my laying before them what the Bishop had said upon frequent
communion. I had the next Sacrament day about 30 Communicants, whereas,
except on extraordinary times, I rarely have not above the half of that
number. The truth is, since that useful Book is come among us, the chace is
turned, and the zeal of our Dissenting Brethren, or more truly, their malicious
clamors, are insensibly abated. We hear no more of their Scotch-Irish
champions, who can no more stand before our Venerable Authors than
Dagon before the ark. The church in this place is put in some good repair,
and were it not for a leading Man, a Colonel, who is disobliged because I
refused to give him the Sacrament but according to the rules of the Church,
the state of Religion here would have a more promising aspect, and I myself
should have less reason to complain of the slender provision that is made by
my hearers in this Town for my support. Among them I serve, now and
then, a Neighbouring Church in Maryland. This they find fault with, and I
am willing to mend the matter, provided they'l allow me something for my
subsistence while I am employed wholly in their service. A Letter from you
to admonish them of their duty towards the Missionary may be of singular
use to me, and make me easy in the Mission, wherein I have served now above
20 Years.
I am. Sir, Your most humble Serv',
GEO^ ROSS.
M''. ROSS'S History of his Church at New Castle.
March i"', 1727.
The three Countys of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon the River
Delaware, are a distinct Colony from the Province of Pennsylvania, having
their own General Assemblys, annually chosen to Enact Laws in conjunction
with their Governor, who has his Residence in the Province, as the chief and
most beneficial part of his care & government. In the said three Counties,
New Castle is the chief and best Town, & most commodiously situated for
Trade and Navigation. It stands upon a pleasant eminence, and is found, of
late years, to be both healthy and agreeable, & in summer is preferable to
1727.] 44
any upon Delaware, for its coole and refreshing Breezes — an advantage it
owes to its being nearer the sea, by 40 miles, than the so much talked of Phila-
delphia. New Castle, a little while ago, was dignified with the Immunities &
privileges of a City, but the worthy & Honble person, Sir William Keith,
Baronet, who erected it into a Corporation, being superseded, & his Successor
calling in question the validity of the authority by which it was Incorporated,
it is contented at present with its former condition, in hopes of a more favor-
able opportunity to reassert its rights & liberties.
The first Inhabitants of this place were Dutch — a colony from New York,
& of the church of Holland. They built a small wooden church, where a
Minister of their own way, & sometimes a Reader, in their several capacities,
officiated. But when the Town was surrendered to the English, and the
Dutch remained unsupplied with a Preacher, the said Chapel was neglected,
and at length tumbled down, leaving a Bell, which the County took possession
of, & still retains (how justly I shall not enquire), and a Lott of Ground, as
Memorandums of its Religious Founders to posterity.
In the year 1 703, those in New Castle of the Communion of the Church
of England, from a sense of a want of a Person in Holy Orders to reside
among them, & observing how the Presbyterians were gaining ground in the
place, by reason of their having a Preacher to promote their interest, Resolved
to Petition the Bishop of London to take compassion on their deplorable
circumstances, which resolution they put in practice the Eleventh of August,
in the said year, & in confidence of a favorable answer from his Lordship's
charitable disposition, they agreed with Workmen to build a House of public
Worship, drawing up a Formula for themselves & Friends, to subscribe & set
down w' Sum each of them was willing to bestow towards the erecting the
Fabric ; and, at the same time, appointed Richard Hallowell, Jasper Yates,
and Joseph Wood, of New Castle, Gent" (they being willing to take the
trouble upon them), to be Overseers of the Building, & Agents to collect the
charity of pious, well-disposed persons. In the middle of the Town lies a
spacious Green, in form of a Square, in a corner whereof stood formerly a
Fort, & on the Ground whereon the said Citadel was built, they agreed to
erect their church, from a persuasion that, as it belonged to their Sovereign,
it was not in the power of any of their troublesome Neighbours to disturb
them in their commendable undertaking. In the year 1 704, Emanuel Church
at New Castle, was founded, & by the charitable contributions of several
45 [1727-
Gent" in Pennsylvania, as well as by the large collections of Inhabitants of
New Castle — not only Churchmen but Presbyterians — in was finished and
opened 1706, with the solemnity of an occasional Sermon preached by the
Reverend M', Andreas Rudman, a Swede, then Missionary at Oxford, &
distinguished by him at the request of M'. Ross, Missionary at New Castle,
by the name and appellation of Emanuel.
To the erecting of this church, his Excellency, Francis Nicholson, then
Governor of Virginia, famous for his generosity & zeal in the cause of God
& his Church over all America, was the first signer, & by his noble example
& extraordinary bounty — for he gave £2^ Sterling — many were encouraged
to exert themselves in this aflfair, to the utmost of their ability. Richard
Halliwell subscribed ;^20 ; Robert French, ;^2o; James Coutts, ^10; Jacob
Van Gezel, £6 ; John French, ;^5 ; Hercules Coutts, £10 ; Sam' Lowman, ^8 ;
Joseph Wood, ^5 ; Adam Baldridge, £10; Rich"* Reynolds, £\o; W"
Tongue, ;^8 ; Andrew Dykes, £$ ; John & Edward Jennings, ^3 ; James
Askue, £^ ; Roeloff Dehayes, ;^5 ; Silvester Garland, £2, ; Wessel Alricks,
£2 ; Thomas Gray, £2 ; MatP Vanderhyden, ;^5 ; Rich'' Cautwell, ;^io; Wm.
Houston, £2, los; Sam' Silbe, £2; Hypolitus Lefifever, ;^io; John Staples,
£6 ; Nicholas Locker, £$ ; CorneP Empson, £1 ; Rob' Ashton, ^5 ; Geo.
Lowther, £2; John Guest, £2; James Miller, £2, los. ; W" Harper, ^5 ;
Thomas Norton, ^5 ; Jasper Yeates, £\o; Marg' Finch, ^3 ; Henry Nichols,
^5; Geo: Roch, £^; W"" Trent, ^5; Hugh Graham, £2, los. ; Joseph
Pidgeon, £2 ; Joshua Carpenter, ^3 ; John Moore, £2 ; Robert Quarry, /;.
Besides these, there were several others who contributed small sums, whose
Names, to avoid being tedious, I forbear to mention. t '-'■<:^- '"''
This Church is 50 feet long & 30 broad. Its materials are Brick, covered
with Cedar. It is beautified of late with a Gallery & a Porch, by the diligence
& good conduct of the present Church Wardens, Richard Grafton & W"
Read, men of real zeal for the honor of Christ & his Religion.
The Minister has £^o Sterling paid him p"" annum, by the Treasurer to
the Honble Society for propagating the Gospel ; besides this & his Glebe,
which is computed to be worth ^20 Stg. yearly, he has no certain Salary.
Indeed, some of his hearers promise to contribute towards his support, but so
few of them think of performing their obligation, that what he gets that way
may be accounted a trifle.
The number of Inhabitants belonging to this Church, or usually frequent-
1727.] 46
ing at first, was about 20 Families, which, allowing three to a Family, to
attend Divine Worship, amounts to three score. They were generally low in
their condition, but not indigent, having wherewithal to support themselves,
but little to spare. The employ & business of such of them as lived in the
Town was retailing of Goods, Rum, Sugar & Molasses, together with some
European Goods. Some enjoyed Posts in the Government, & others get
their living by their handy crafts, as Carpenters, Smiths & Shoe Makers.
Those of them that had their residence in the Country were occupied in
clearing & grubbing of Land, in raising of Grain, as Wheat, Rye, Indian
Corn, Oats & Barley ; in improving their Stock, such as Horses, Horn Cattle,
Sheep & Hogs. Few or none of them had Estates to support them without
being obliged to their Trade Labour & Industry. Their sentiments in matters
of Religion — I mean of those who were my first hearers — were pretty uni-
form, & framed upon Church principles. Most of them lived together, like
Towns in England, while others, who manured the Ground, lived dispersed
up & down a large compass of Ground, all of them so far distant from any
other church that the healthiest and strongest amongst them could not, with-
out great application & going on Horseback, attend Divine Service there.
Travelling is easy in these parts, both Summer & Winter, except in the
extreme heat of the one & when the Frost breaks up in the other. What
renders Travelling so easy here, besides the serenity & agreeableness of the
climate, is that the people generally make use of pacing Horses, and the Roads
are far better than those in England. The present number of Inhabitants,
professing themselves members of the Church under my care, are about 100
Families, & most of them much improved in their Fortunes & condition,
having for the number of People as great plenty of Bread & provisions of all
sorts, as Beef, Pork, Veal, Mutton & Dung Hill Fowl, as most other parts
have in the King's Dominions, either at home Or abroad.
There are Seven Meeting Houses used by Dissenters, besides a Lutheran
Congregation, within the limits of what I call my Parish ; whereof four belong
to the Presbyterians, who are generally Scotch-Irish ; one to the Anabaptists,
being Welsh by nation, & two to the Quakers, a mingled generation of
English & Irish. So that, by a modest computation, there are at least Six to
one Conformist who dissent from the Church of England. The true ground
of this surprizing inequality is that the country was first peopled with
Dissenters, whose number is greatly increased of late, by their having fresh
47 [1727-
supplies sent them from the North of Ireland. All their Meeting Houses,
save that at New Castle, where a Dissenting Preacher cannot get Bread, are
provided with Teachers, who owe their support wholly to the voluntary con-
tributions of their people & their own industry, in planting & farming. They
have sufficiency to live, rather than decency in living.
There are. some private Schools within my reputed district which are put
very often into the hands of those who are brought into the country & sold
for Servants. Some School Masters are hired by the year, by a knot of
Families who, in their turns, entertain him monthly, & the poor man lives in
their Houses like one that begged an alms, more than like a person in credit
& authority. When a Ship arrives in the River, it is a common expression
with those who stand in need of an Instructor for their children, — Let us go
& buy a School Master. The truth is, the office & character of such a person
is generally very mean & contemptible here, & it cannot be other ways 'til
the public takes the Education of Children into their mature consideration.
Among the Donations made to the church here, her late Majesty's (Queen
Anne's) Gift of a Pulpit and Altar Cloaths, with a Box of Glass, I must name
in the first place, both for the dignity of the Royal Donor & priority of time
in which it was bestowed. Col' Charles Gookin, late Governor of Pennsyl-
vania, distinguished himself in this particular from all those who went before
him in the Government, as well as those who have hitherto succeeded him, by
his present of a valuable piece of plate, a damask Table Cloth & two Napkins,
for the more decent administration of the Holy Sacrament. I can't tell
whether, under this, I ought to specify and relate the several Sums given to
repair & beautify the church. It may suffice to say, that the List of Benefac-
tors in this respect is no less venerable than that of the first contributors
towards its building. As to Benefactions made to Minister & School
master, I know of none made to the former but a Plantation & Meadow, be-
queathed for his use by the last Will & Testament of Capt° R*^ Halliwell, who,
in his day, signalized himself in the defence and support of his church &
country, & who, next to the Honble Society, is justly to be accounted the
prime patron of Emanuel Church at New Castle. There is no settled School
Master here, a thing not to be wondered at, since to this time there is no
benefactions made or encouragement given to a person of that character by
the Government, or to my knowledge, by any other considered in a private
capacity, the consequence whereof is not to be expressed. The Library here
1727.] 48
consists of those Books only which were sent to remain in the Parish, by the
Society for propagating the Gospel, & is now in the hands of their Missionary
there.
The number of Negroe Slaves in this Parish is, as far as I can compute,
about 50, concerning whose Instructions very little care is taken. Some of
them are in the hands of Quakers, who leave them to their common princi-
ples, the natural light. Others are in possession of Protestant Dissenters,
who are so taken with the doctrine of absolute decrees, that no great stress
is laid on the outward ceremony of Baptism. Those few that are baptized
belong to Churchmen. The truth is, there is a general indifference in church-
men, as well as in those of other sentiments, to make proselytes of their
Slaves ; the true cause whereof is the want of zeal in Masters, and the un-
toward haughty behaviour of those Negroes who have been admitted into
the Fellowship of Christ's Religion. But it is to be hoped the frequent
warnings & excellent admonitions the Colonies in general have from the
Venerable and Charitable Body Incorporated for promoting the Christian
Faith will, by degrees, rouse & awaken them, and put life in their endeavors
to save those Souls, for whose loss few seriously consider who must be ac-
countable.
Reverend Sir,
I have been as particular and exact in these, my enquiries, upon the heads
you sent me, as my ability & a due sense of my obligation to my Hon.
Patrons could possibly qualify or prompt me to do ; and, as a specimen of
my obedience & diligence, I transmit them to you, assuring you that the
Rivers being shut up sooner & longer than ordinary, is the true reason why
this Paper has not, for some months pas'd, escaped [received ?] your approba-
tion or dislike.
I am, Rev^ Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
GEO: ROSS.
49 [i72l.
M'-. BECKETT to the Secretary.
Lewes, March 13, 172I.
Sir,
I take this opportunity to acquaint you that the affairs of the Churches
which are under my care go on as usual — that is, I thank God for it, they are
in the main in a prosperous condition ; but there is a matter or two of some
moment to the welfare of the church here, as I conceive, which I more espe-
cially crave leave & intend to lay before you at this time.
Since Major Gordon's arrival here, as our Gov', he has promiscuously
granted the Marriage Licenses to be lodged with us & the Presbyterian Min-
isters, a thing which was never done here before, save only in the last year of
Sir W" Keith's Government, his immediate predecessor, when D\ Welton,
the non-juror, was Minister of Philadelphia, to whom it was not fitting to
grant them ; and, indeed. Sir William's fortune appeared desperate at that
time, so that he was willing to raise Money by any means, so that a small
perquisite is hereby granted away from the Missionaries. But what is more
considerable is, that it is denying us what we look upon as our right, since
the very form of the License plainly shews that they cannot be granted,
legally, to any one but a Minister of the Church of England.
At our last Convention, held at New Castle, Sepf 20, 1727, the Mission-
aries did humbly represent this matter to the Governor, desiring his favor in
the case, which he has refused. Perhaps a Letter from the Honble Society
to this Gentleman might bring him to reason, & do their Missionaries a par-
ticular kindness, he professing himself a Churchman, & this, indeed, being
the only favor which is in his power to shew us.
There is another affair which I conceive to be of some moment, & which
might tend much to promote the pious designs of the Honble Society, which
I would beg leave to lay before you, and it is briefly this :
Here is a large & good Tract of Land lying between Maryland & Penn-
sylvania, called the three Lower Counties on Delaware (or Counties of New
Castle, Kent & Sussex), about 100 miles long & 20 miles wide. This Land,
as yet, has no proprietary but his Majesty, tho' both Lord Baltemore & Penn's
Heirs are now contending for it in England, not because either of them have
1727.] 50
a fair Title to this vacant piece of Land, but because it lies convenient for
either of the two that can procure it. It is generally believed by many of the
best People here, who know the weakness & insufficiency of both their claims,
that this Land, when the dispute on both sides is fully heard, will remain to
the King. If his Majesty, when it is so determined, would bestow it on the
Society, a good Sum of Money might easily be raised off it towards the
support of a Bishop or Suffragan, the maintenance of Missionaries, or to such
uses as the Society should think fitt. I am told by some of the Representa-
tives of the People (who meet in assembly here for the making of our Laws),
that here are about 200,000 Acres of Land, cleared & improved. Some of
the Settlers have Titles from James, the late Duke of York, some from Lord
Baltemore, & some from Penn, the Quaker, all, as it is believed, good for
nothing in Law. It would be of little value to the Crown to keep it, but of
great service to the Church, to bestow it on the Society. It would be a popu-
lar act, and make a noise in England, and the People here would be glad to
have the Society their Landlord. I mean the majority, who are Members of
the Church of England ; Dissenters here of all sorts being not so numerous
as the Conformists.
I am satisfied if this point could be carried, it would be of the greatest
service to the Church here. I will write to my Lord Bishop of London on
the same subject. You will please to lay this before the Honble Society, in
obedience to whose order I will very soon send to you such an account of my
Parish as you require.
I remain, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W^ BECKET.
Inhabitants of Kent County to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
July the 2"*, 1727.
Right Reverend and Right Honorable,
We, the underscribing Inhabitants of Kent County on Delaware, professing
ourselves of the Honest Reformed Church of England (at home, but to our
sorrow, not here) by Law established, crave leave to address your Lordship
in this manner.
51 [1727.
We hear from all hands that the eminent station you possess in the Church
is very much honored by yourself, in whom pious, primitive, laborious Epis-
copacy is very much revived, and in whose person these virtues, which adorn
and add a lustre to that station, are eminently conspicuous. In short we
understand that our Benign Sovereign King George is very much applauded
for the choice he has made of your Lordship to fill that eminent and honorable
See.
We have written of this date to the Venerable Society for propagation of
christian knowledge in Foreign parts, where our case is represented at large,
and to which we refer you. Our case is very calamitous ; the prevalency of the
Quaker Interest is the greatest obstruction to the success of the Gospel, & to
the Interest of the Church of England in these parts. M'. Penn's Heirs, who
appoint a Governor, are Quakers. They have power, & many will truckle
to power who otherwise would have been faithful Churchmen. Till the prev-
alency of their power here is in some measure removed, thro' the interest of
your Lordship and other Noble persons, the only thing that can put a stop to
the career of these Enthusiasts is to send us a Clergyman of Learning and
Candour to officiate amongst us. We are daily losing ground, & some of our
Communion are tampered with by the promises of posts & good offices, by
intermarriages & other means to leave us, and since we are vacant the con-
fused Speeches of the Dissenters, confused & absurd as they are, they have
some interest in drawing men aside. We are much obliged to M"^. Becket &
M'. Sewell, who come sometimes to supply our Vacancy. M'. Campbell, the
Society's Missionary at Apoquimona, is our very good Friend & benefactor, and
since Spring has come thrice some 40 or 50 miles to preach & baptize among us.
He, under God, is a very great instrument to prevent our splitting and band-
ing in parties among ourselves, & does his utmost to keep us united as far as
possible in one common Interest against the prevailing influence of the several
different sects, especially the Quakers, the Presbyterians, & Antlpedo baptists.
We find him a faithful & attached friend to the Interest of our Church, and we
entreat your Lordship will take notice of him as such.
We are told and are persuaded that your Lordship is a person of worth
and influence in all Societys where you are a Member, and particularly in the
Venerable Society for propagation of Christian Knowledge In Foreign Parts.
We are likewise sufficiently Informed of your uprightness, candour & willing-
ness to promote the good of the Church of England, of which you are an
[1729. 52
Hon"' Father and an eminent support. We therefore entreat your good
offices w"" the Venerable Society, that a clergyman may be sent us, and if
possible with all speed. We have sent a good many Subscriptions which we
hope will induce a Gentleman of parts to come & reside among us, & then he
may reasonably expect they will be very much advanced. In the meantime
we beg leave to subscribe ourselves
Your Lordship's most obedient, most
faithful friends & servants,
W^ RODENEY,
W^ FINNEY, & many others.
Inhabitants of white Clay Creek to the Secretary.
-th
25'^ 1729.
Sir,
We, the Inhabitants of White Clay Creek Parish, alias called St. James, in
the County of Newcastle, beg leave to represent that we are hereabouts 60
or 70 families of the Church of England, surrounded by and intermixed with
multitudes of Dissenters, Quakers, Presbyterians and Anabaptists ; that we
have already sent home a list of our subscriptions. Amounting to ;^68, of this
Country Currency. We are repairing our Church, with all possible expedi-
tion, & are persuaded that the Honour"' Society will compassionate our de-
plorable circumstances, & send us a Missionary, with the first Opportunity.
The dissenting Teachers are busy among us, and no Arts are left untried
to divide us among ourselves. Our Subscriptions are as considerable as
those of any Parish we know in this Government to which the Society sends
a Missionary, and we faithfully promise that they shall be advanced to ;^8o,
currency, at the first Easter Monday after the arrival & settlement of a
Missionary among us ; and, for the better encouragement of a gentleman of
probity and parts in Priest's orders, to come over by your appointment to us,
we hereby likewise faithfully promise to allow the Subscription now sent in-
closed, from the time of his admission into your service at London, & pay it
accordingly, upon his arrival, and that we shall advance our subscriptions
upon the first Easter Monday, to eighty pounds, as aforesaid.
53 I729-]
We therefore hope that the Society will not neglect us, but rather think
us deserving of a Missionary ; and now that M"'. Campbell, who has done a
great deal of good among us, is appointed to Brookhaven, in Long Island,
we are intirely left destitute of any help or assistance from any other Mission-
ary, and our congregation will be infallibly dissolved, unless the Hon'''' Society
will be pleased to send us a Minister, which, as it will be the greatest comfort
to us, so we are persuaded it is exactly conformable to the design of your
noble & pious institution.
We should have been very well satisfied if you had appointed Mr. Camp-
bell to us, whom we esteem a worthy gentleman & a diligent pastor, & are,
withal, persuaded that he has been greatly injured by some malicious & ex-
asperated people at Apoquinimink ; but since you have not thought fit to
appoint him, we entreat, withal the earnestness we are capable of, to send
us another. We hope it will not be thought unreasonable in us to make
such a request, nor unworthy of you to grant it, because it is a thing upon
which the welfare of our Church in these parts absolutely depends. What
needs there more words to petition for that which we are persuaded you are
as willing to grant as we are to ask ?
We are sensible that the Rev"^ M'. Ross, Missionary at Newcastle, will
oppose this to the utmost of his power, but we think very unreasonably and
v.ery barbarously ; for, seeing he has accepted of a parish in Maryland, 'tis
plain that it is impossible for him to attend Newcastle Church and ours too.
We are informed that he calls our Church a Chappel of ease to Newcastle,
but we absolutely deny this, and are able to prove the contrary. We own,
however, that it is a Chappel of ease to him, for he has not preach'd nor offici-
ated in it these eighteen months past ; and, indeed, it is morally impossible,
for the reason before mentioned. 'Tis about ten long miles from Newcastle.
We therefore once more humbly request that the Hon'''' Society would
be pleased to send us a Missionary, as soon as they possibly can, whom we
shall encourage in his office to the utmost of our power, and whom we shall
treat with all the respect imaginable ; for, from us, he may depend upon all
the affection and esteem which is due to a Christian Pastor from the most
beneficent people. We are, in all submission.
Your most obedient, humble Serv'^
1 729-] 54
M\ BECKET to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Lewes, Sept' 25* 1729.
Rev° Sir,
Having a fair opportunity, by this conveyance, to acquaint you with the
present state of my cure, I readily embrace it. To speak in general, the
church in Sussex county is in a growing condition. A fourth Church, being
built by the inhabitants in the middle of the forest, was opened by me about
a year ago, by the name of St. John Baptist's, with the service of the Church,
and a sermon suitable to the occasion ; and there is likely to be a numerous
congregation there, a great number of the poor people constantly attending
the Divine Service as oft as I have been able to officiate there.
The number of persons baptized in my parish, the year past, are near
100, about 80 of which infants and children; 2 women, who were bred
quakers, one a servant maid in my own house, another a tradesman's wife in
this town, who publickly renounced the principles of that sect ; nine negroes,
who were instructed, some by their Masters and Mistresses, and others by
me ; and some few infants besides, in a journey I made to visit the late
Commisary, on the eastern shore in Maryland. Some other persons are now
preparing their negroes, slaves, for baptism. I have taken some pains, not
only to distribute my Lord of London's letters and the Sermons by Bishop
Beveridge, sent by the Society, but also to exhort privately, and to preach
publickly, on the occasion.
The number of communicants at Lewes, on Christmas Day last, was 20 ;
at St. George's, at Easter, 17 ; at ^t. Mathew's on Whitsun-day, 13.
I am under some concern to know whether you have received the Histori-
cal Account of my Parish, whether it came in time to be inserted in the
printed work.
I have wrote to you (I think) twice, to beg leave of the Honble Society
to return to England for a small time, to settle some private affairs, which, to
me, are matters of consequence, and to solicit a continuation of my salary, in
the mean time ; but not having heard any thing from you on this point, I beg
55 [1729-
you'll do me the favour to lay before them my repeated request, and to favour
me with their answers, by the next opportunity.
I am, Rev"^ Sir, yours, &c.,
WILLIAM BECKET.
M''. ROSS to the Secretary.
Newcastle, Oct"" 4, 1729.
Sir,
I persuade myself that you'll be agreeably entertained when I assure you
that Religion never appeared in this place in so shining and lively a state as
it does at present. That generation is almost extinct who were my hearers
at my first settling here, and those who succeed them are a set of very
honest, Zealous Churchmen, whose lives adorn their Profession, and cool the
hearts of those who are prejudiced against our grave and manly worship.
We are blessed with peace and mutual love, and none among us are tainted
with new and strange opinions. The sacrement of our Lord's death is regu-
larly administered, and a devout number constantly receive it. Two Adults
were lately baptized, and a good many children are carefully instructed in the
faith. To maintain the ground we have so remarkably gained, I humbly pro-
pose that a small salary of six pounds per annum may be allowed to a cate-
chist or schoolmaster, in this place, to encourage his instructing youth in the
Church Catechism. The Government under which I live has no such thing at
heart. Charity, at present, is our only remedy.
I have been alarmed, of late, with some account from your Treasurer, as
if I was in arrears to him. His mistake is owing to his placing and dating my
mission at the end of a month, whereas it begun the 1" September, and so I
have drawn my Bills, heretofore, without being questioned. I desire I may
not suffer, thro' inadvertance of a new hand. I am poor, though one of your
oldest Missionaries. The Consideration whereof, and that I have several
children to provide for, may claim relief, rather than a nice scrutiny, from the
Honorable Board.
I am, Sir,
Your most humble Serv',
GEORGE ROSS.
1729.] 56
AT". CAMPBELL to the Secretary,
Brookhaven, July 31^', 1729.
Sir,
According to the Society's order, I removed from Apoquiniminck, and
arrived at Brookhaven eight days ago, and find that the people of Brookhaven
are engaged to one M". Dwight, who went to England in order to be ordained.
He is strongly recommended by them ; they have the greatest esteem for
him, and they all, to a man, wish him for their Missionary. Nay ! their affec-
tions are so centered in him, that I dare say they should prefer him to any
one Clergyman you can send, possibly, them. He has been educated in New
England. He knows the people here, their sentiments and way of thinking,
better than several others. They are, generally speaking, New England
Converts, and I believe a great many more will come in, by the labours of
M". Dwight, who will undoubtedly sway them much more than any other
person is capable to do. For my own part, I own that I am at a very great
loss. I am a stranger to cant, and cannot but esteem it an unnatural acqui-
sition ; and though it may be useful in some places, I am apt to believe that it
derives its origin either from gross ignorance or ridiculous affectation.
But, on the other hand, there is another Parish, that of St. James, or
White Clay Creek, in Newcastle County upon Delaware, equally, if not much
more, deserving than Brookhaven, consisting of at least seventy families.
They love me to a man, and I love them, and I hope I have done some good
among them; Now, I submit it to the Hon"' Society, whether, all other cir-
cumstances being equal, whether 'tis not more eligible and more consistent
with the design of the Society, to send M". Dwight here, & send me to St.
James', in New Castle county. 'Tis true, M"". Ross Calls this a Chappel of
ease to Newcastle, but very unreasonably, for he has accepted of a Parish in
Maryland. Now, it's impossible for him to attend that Church in Maryland,
Newcastle and St. James', too. However, the people of St. James' own that
St. James is a Chappel of ease at least to M". Ross, because he has not
preached in it these two years past; neither, indeed, is it possible, for the
reason above mentioned.
57 [i73i.
I hope the Society will consider that it is of the greatest advantage to
Missionaries, in the propagation of the gospel, that their persons are agree-
able to and generally beloved by their Parishioners, without which their
labours cannot be very successfull. Now, I am certain that M'. Dwight, by
the blessing of God, is capable to do important service to the church at Brook
Haven, at least much more than I could do ; and I persuade myself that,
through Divine assistance, I shall be usefully subservient to the propagation
of the Gospel at St. James', Upon this account it is that I plead for an ex-
change, equally beneficial & agreeable both to M'. Dwight and myself, and
equally comfortable to the respective parishes, which they have signified by
letters to the Society ; and therefore I hope the Hon"' Society will, in their
wonted goodness, grant their request. The same with the reasonable &
hearty desire of
Their most humble S',
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.
M\ BECKET to the Secretary.
Lewes, July i", 1731.
Rev" Sir,
I am glad of the present opportunity of writing to you, by an acquaintance
of mine, one M'. Sharp, who, being stopped by contrary winds, called ashoare
at our Town.
My Parish is much in the same state it was in when I wrote to you last.
We have 4 Congregations, at 4 Churches in this County, 3 of which are very
numerous. On Sunday last, I officiated at S'. George's Chapel, which, tho' it
has been enlarged near one half since my coming, yet could not contain
above one half of the hearers. I baptized that day five white Infants and
three Negroe slaves. It is remarkable that I have baptized at that chapel, in
about 6 weeks time last past, 10 white persons and 11 Negroes, besides a
considerable number at other churches in this County. From this single
instance, I hope it will be evident to the Honble Society that I have taken
some pains to enforce the tenor of the Society's instructions, and my Lord
1732.] 58
Bishop of London's letters, with regard to the Negroes in my Parish, which
has indeed more Church people in it than are in any (nominal) Parish in
Pennsylvania. This, perhaps, may be owing to the great distance we are
from Philadelphia, which, at this time, is the greatest sink of Quakerism and
infidelity in all English America. Did you but know. Sir, how my brethren,
the Missionaries, are used here, and how they are discouraged by no less a
person than the greatest man in the Province, and his creatures, a set of Infi-
dels, I know you would pity us. I thank God I am easier on that account
than any of them, the distance is so great that the shot reaches me but now
and then. I am Procul a Jove, procul a fulmine.
I return thanks for the leave I have to return to England for 3 months.
I cannot make use of it till the ensuing fall or Spring. I have taken pains,
but see no possibility of getting my Cure supplied during my absence, unless
now and then a Sunday. I have thought of the following method, viz' : to
put a volume of plain and useful Sermons in the hand of some sober, discreet
Layman, to read to the people on Sundays, during my stay in England ; as
also to read the public prayers. If the Society does not approve of this, you'l
be so good as to let me know, I am, with great gratitude and sincerity,
Rev-^ Sir, &■=.,
W^ BECKET.
To the Honourable Society for Propagating the Gospel in
Foreign Parts.
The Humble Petition of William Becket, their missionary at Lewes in
Pensilvania, 15™ April, 1732,
Showeth :
That your humble Petitioner hath been missionary to the Hon'''' Society
for the space of 1 1 years, & hath resided constantly in the place of his mis-
sion 10 years & a half, in Lewes, in Sussex, during which time (blessed be
God), 2 new churches have been built in the said County, & 2 more that were
raised before the arrival of your said Petitioner have been carried on, so as to
59 [i732.
admit of the decent worship of Almighty God ; in which places your said
petitioner hath given constant attendance, on Sunday & Holydays, in preach-
ing, praying, catechising, & administering the Holy Sacraments, & other
dutys of his function, with good success, insomuch that above looo people
old & young, white & black, have been instructed & baptised in the said
Country, by your Petitioner, & many persons are constant com'cants of the
church of England; & that here are more people, professing themselves
members of the said church, than in any other county in this governm'
considering in proportion with Dissenters of all sorts ; that is to say, there
are a great majority of the members of the Church of England.
There was a Presbyterian minister & a Quaker speaker in this County
at the time of your said Petitioner's arrival, but they have both now left the
province, without sending any one to succeed them ; so that now there is not
any preacher of any persuasion in this province, except your petitioner.
That when your petitioner had resided here for the space of 7 years, or
thereabouts, being earnestly desirous to see his native country once more, &
to settle some affairs of his own there, he did request the Society for leave to
that purpose, which leave was kindly granted by the said society. But by
reason that no clergyman was to be procured to officiate in his absence, upon
many accounts it would have been indiscreet & unsafe for your said petitioner
to leave so great a cure without any pastor, especially at such a juncture.
Upon this weighty consideration, your s"^ Pet"' hath been content to set
aside his own inclination & business at present, that he might the better serve
the church of God, & promote the good designs of the Hon"' Society.
That the labours & fatigues of your petitioner have been very great in
his mission, so that some years, besides performing the offices of his function,
he travelled, at a moderate computation, 1632 miles, to promote the good
designs of the said Society. And on other years, when his task has been the
easiest, no less than 11 56 miles, so that he was obliged always to keep two
horses, which are very chargeable to be maintained in a town, your said
petitioner not having any Glebe or Farm to maintain them upon.
That the Parishioners of your Pet" having been exceedingly kind to him
during the whole times, by subscribing liberally towards support & mainte-
nance, considering their poor circumstances, & by many other kind & good
offices, which has been a great encouragement to your petitioner, in the midst
of his labours.
1732.] 6o
That, besides what is already mentioned, they have at this time done an
extraordinary act of kindness to your petitioner. A good farm, of about 400
acres of land, with a good house on it, a good orchard, near 1000 fruit trees, a
good barn frame, with a kitchen & out houses, about 7 miles distant from
Lewes ; they have advised him to buy it, & promised to assist him, unani-
mously, in the purchase of it, that so he may be enabled to secure a more
certain support for his family, & also that no invitations from any neighbouring
vacant parishes in Virginia or Maryland (many of which have been offered to
him), may induce him to leave them. Accordingly, he hath joined them in a
bargain with the owner of the said land. The price to be paid for it is
;^27o of this currency: ;^i6o are to be paid down now, & ;^iio a year hence.
Your Ven"^ Board will see, by a copy of the subscriptions which your peti-
tioner has caused to be exemplified & sent over to you, regularly attested,
how far the poor people of this parish were able to help him in this affair —
a testimony of their zeal for religion & their esteem for your petitioner.
But as Lewes is a chargeable place, being a small sea port on the mouth
of the great river Delaware, where all European Goods are generally sold at
near jCzoo ^ cent, advance on sterling, & for as much as your Pet"^ hath a
numerous family to maintain, namely, a wife & 4 children, & hath been often
times in charity obliged to maintain shipwrecked & distressed people, as well
as in civility to entertain Gent" & Strangers, especially of the Communion of
the Church of England, who occasionally resorted to that place ; & as a clergy-
man must be given to hospitality, as well as apt to teach, so your petitioner
hath not been able to save any money, except only what may buy a stock of
cattle, & such implements for husbandry as are necessary upon a farm, &
without which it cannot turn to a profitable account. Upon the whole, your
humble Pet"' desires the Hon: Society to concur with his parishioners in this
charitable Act, that they will be pleased to bestow on your pet""" something,
whatever they, in their wisdom & goodness, shall think proper, towards pay-
ing for the Farm on which he is now settled ; or, if not that, they will be so
good as to advance a year's salary for him, on the 25* day of March next
when the purchase money is to be paid ; & your Petitioner, as in duty bound,
shall ever pray, &=.
6i [1732.
The Inhabitants of S\ "John's Parish, in Kent County, to
M\ Archdr CUM MINGS.
Pensilvania, April i5'\ 1732.
Rev° Sir,
We having often heard how firmly you are attached to the Interest of the
church of England, as by law Established, but how boldly you have exerted
yourself, upon all occasions, in the defence of our holy religion ; as also of
your justness & uprightness in the faithful discharge of your holy function, so
that none of the dissenting parties have any form for calumny against you.
This great character. Sir, which we think few do attain to, hath given us great
encouragement to apply to you, & implore your kind & hearty assistance in
relieving us out of our long calamitous condition, respecting our want of a
min' of the church of England, to preach the gospel among us. It is now
upwards of 20 years we have remained destitute of that great blessing.
Perhaps, Sir, you'l not a little wonder that we have so long neglected so great
a concern as the Honour of Almighty God & the salvation of our souls.
But we hope you'l excuse us when you have perused the enclosed papers
(which we send only to show we have not been wholly negligent), & are
informed of many discouragements & obstructions which, from time to time,
we have all along met with. But perhaps because these things will be too
long & tiresome to trouble you with in a letter, for a better information
thereof than we can give in writing, we refer you to the Rev"* M"^. Ross &
M"^. Beckett, who have indeed been our great friends & benefactors, in help-
ing us so far forwards as you'l perceive we now are. Those rev"* Gent" are
fully acquainted with our case, & of the many hard struggles that we who
are at present concerned, — we mean all those of our communion in whose
behalf, as well as our own, we write, — have, thro' the mutability of fortune,
met withall.
Our church hath all along been loseing ground, nor can we say but that
it appears to us her demolishment is near at hand, unless speedily relieved;
for now, at this time, the Quaker interest, having so great a prevalency
amongst us that, generally speaking, they are our magistrates, & many will
1732.] 62
truckle to power who otherwise would be faithful church men. The Presby-
terians also are become very strong in this county. They have built 2 chap-
pels, & have a min"^ appointed lately amongst them ; a Gent" who, for great
learning, good sense, & strong judgment & eloquence of speech, by reports
of much better judges than ourselves, is deemed to have a very large share
of those excellent qualifications.
By these means the interest of our church here seems to be more than
ever in Hazard of greater decay, & until these obstructions are removed, we
cannot be safe. We presume. Sir (under God), nothing will sooner put a stop
to the strong efforts of those enthusiasts than the speedy setting among us a
min"" of the church of England, a Gent" of learning & candour, qualified in
every part & respect, to encounter such strong opposers as we have above
observed to you.
Upon the whole, we beg for God's sake, & as you respect the success of
the Gospel & the Interest of the church of England, that you will, by the first
opportunity in our behalf, write to the Hon'''' Society in such terms as you
think proper, to urge them with all speed to send a missionary of the church
of England, — a Gent" well qualified on so great an occasion as we have here
informed you. For, give us leave, Sir, to observe to you that, should such
missionary which may be sent prove a man of a lor)se life, & corrupt in his
manners, nothing will demolish us sooner ; when, on the other hand, a Gent"
of such qualifications as we have already observed, we are very sure will
prove very advantageous ; but we shall leave this matter to your wise & pru-
dent management with the Hon: Society. In compliance to the Society's
answer to our petition, we send enclosed also our subscriptions, which we
earnestly request you'l send by the first. The amount of the original was
much more than these copys appear to be ; but, as you'l see by their date, we
have been a long while getting them, tho' 2 or 3 years have been spent in
gaining the certificate & seals. By this means, several subscribers are dead,
which has lessened the sum, for we have put none in the copys but those that
are living. Nevertheless, the most of the deceased subscribers will be as
good as ever, by reason their descendents are now grown up. We do assure
you, Sir, the generality of the people in this county incline to our church.
They are awed by the Quaker's party. A great number who have not sub-
scribed for the maintenance of a min' have promised faithfully they will, when
one is settled among them, so that we are also very sure that the amount of
63 [1732.
the subscriptions therewith sent will be considerable more then than doubled,
if we are not long delayed. What need we say more to one whom we have
so good reason to believe will readily & faithfully serve us in so lamentable
a condition ? We hope you'l excuse the trouble hereby given you, & beg
leave to subscribe ourselves. Sir, yours, &"=., &"=.
W^ RODENY,
E. JONES.
M". BECKETT to the Secretary.
Lewes in Pensilvania, Apr' 20'\ 1732.
Rev° Sir,
I send you herewith a petition to the Hon: Society, &"., which I must beg
the favour of you to lay before the Ven"" Board, as also a copy of a subscrip-
tion, which my parishioners have been so kind as to present me, the better to
enable me to buy a Farm among them, for my better settlement & support,
& that of my Family. And I shall also send you a map of Sussex County
(my parish), if I can get one truly drawn, that so the Hon: Society may the
better judge of the convenience or inconvenience of my present situation,
with respect to the several churches here. When it is considered that the
people here are generally poor, I doubt not but it will appear to the Hon:
Society to be a very liberal benefaction, & that I have not behaved myself ill
among a people who are so desirous that I should settle among them for life.
My parishioners have made me a voluntary & free present of what they
were able to contribute. However, if I die without issue (as God only
knows what shall come to pass), I purpose in my last will to bequeath it to the
Hon: Society. The purchase money, according to the bargain, is to be paid
as follows: £160 of this country currency is to be paid down now, at my
entry on the said farm, being ab' ;^ioo Ster., & ^40 Currency on the 25"' day
of March next — being about /70 Ster. You will be so good. Sir, as to lay
these matters before the Hon: Society, & to let me know their pleasure
therein, with convenient speed, that so I may know how to prepare myself
for the latter payment, above mentioned. The state of my parish is much as
usual, so that I do not need to trouble you with any particular account of it
1732.] 64
at this time. Infidelity has spread much of late in some parts of this govern-
ment, but God be praised, my parish is pretty well free from it. My Lord
Bishop of London's letters, &"., have been of great use & service to Chris-
tianity in America, & indeed everything he writes is read here with a great
esteem. We hear that some others of my Lords, the Bishops, & several
other eminent divines, have employed their pens in the Christian cause, but
being in this corner of the world, I know not how to get any of them, other-
wise they would be of great use. My Parishioners are in great want of
church catechisms, prayer books, & psalms of the new version, that so they
might bring up their children more religiously. I remain, Rev^ Sir, &"=., &"=.,
W** BECKETT.
P. S, — ^The Free-thinkers are very busy in spreading their books in this
province.
Tkf. ROSS to the Secretary.
New Castle in Pensilvania, Nov' 7'^ 1 732.
Rev° Sir,
It cannot be expected, without the intervention of extraordinary means,
that the church should flourish in a country where to revolt from her doctrine
& discipline is both profitable & fashionable. To exemplify this, I am to
observe to you, with no small concern, that the congregation to which I belong
is not so large as I have seen it heretofore, by reason of apostates in power,
who industriously encourage the forsakeing of our assemblys, & promote the
cause of infidelity, as if their happiness consisted therein. An Harangue was
made here t'other day, from the bench of Justices, exposing those for Idiots
who pay any regard to Priests or Churches, Imagine yourself among a set
of Tindalls or Woolstons, & hence you may frame a just Idea of the conduct
& deportment of many of our chief rulers & statesmen.
This, tho' a true state of this colony, you are not to publish, unless you
are resolved to prefer me to the Honor of Martyrdom. To be a missionary
here, in the present posture of affairs, is in good earnest to fight with beasts
of Ephesus.
65 [i732.
Nothing but hacking & hewing is left unattempted to discourage us &
drive us away. Our subscriptions are Nullities, whilst our hearers are pub-
lickly laughed at by those who make the greatest figure, for parting with their
money to support — as they say — a pack of cheats & villains. This being
premised, give me leave to say — for necessity obliges me — that my salary,
as matters stand here at present, comes short of a handsome maintenance.
My old subscribers are all dead, and a much poorer, as well as a less gen-
erous, race is come in their room. What they promise, many of them never
perform ; & if I seek for redress, I am sure to lose my money & my hearers.
I can safely say I have not above ;^I2 "^ ann., honestly paid to me by sub-
scription,— I mean of this Country currency. This, with my salary, affords a
mean support, with which I am willing to be content, if the Hon: Society shall
think fit to judge me unworthy of better treatment, after I have spent 27
years in their employ, for the service of the Gospel. If it should please God
to take me hence, in my present circumstances, believe me, 1 have a quarter's
salary left to defray the expenses of my funeral, which is a sufficient argu-
ment of my poverty & the meanness of my support. An augmentation has
already been allowed to some who neither wanted it so much, or had a better
claim to it than myself. I have already observed to you that I have been a
missionary 27 years, & gave, I presume, general satisfaction in the mission.
I am willing to finish my course, but I would depart like their servant in cir-
cumstances suitable to their goodness & bounty, not in a mean & contempti-
ble state, least the uncircumcised in heart should rejoice. If, therefore, the
considerations of the discouragements that attend the mission in these parts,
my age & long service, together with a large family, my Hon'''^ Benefactors
would be pleased to settle ;^8o yearly, as long as I continue in the mission,
which cannot be very long ordine nature, I should think myself not only
highly favoured, but also be distinguished as a good old soldier in the cause
of the truth. All this I humbly submit to their charitable & pious considera-
tion, & so I pass to a more agreeable head.
The church here is served, & I trust as carefully as the instructions of my
superiors require & my ability can reach. I am absent from New Castle but
one Sunday in a month, to supply a neighbouring cure, on the borders of
Maryland. The income of my Maryland cure, whereof a share goes to my
assistant, is paid in Tobacco, & considerable of that weed being at present
very contemptible. That small parish was formerly a help to me, but now it
1732.] 66
fails, & that failure has obliged me to have resource to the charity of the
Society. My frankness in this particular may serve to remove exceptions,
& demonstrate my sincerity. The stated seasons of publick prayers in the
forenoons, on Wednesdays & Fridays, & on all Holy days, are duly observed
in those few that attend the hours of devotion. I count myself happy, & in
them the church is honoured. The duty of catechising is discharged with
good success. M'. Lewis's exposition has been said by heart several times,
by some particular catechumens, to the applause of the youth & the satisfac-
tion of the congregation. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is very fre-
quently & reverently celebrated ; & however some Demas's have forsaken
the publick assemblys, & have listed themselves among our free-thinkers, yet,
God be thanked, the number of Communicants is entire still, & not to be
shakerl, I hope, by the present Infectious wind.
As to the people of Whiteclay Creek, I have had no encouragement, or
so much as a general request to go among them, since M"', Campbell, that
stirring man, amused them with promises of returning from England, in the
quality of their missionary, or procuring one for them. That unhappy man
acted the Incendiary so much, that he made them' believe that the way to get
a missionary entirely to themselves was to affront me, & by all means to
discourage my coming among them. The Society may indulge them in their
humour, & settle a young man in the skirt of their parish, which cannot in
the least affect or hurt my interest; but a precedent of that nature can be no
great encouragem' to the building of chappels, when it shall appear that to
rear a chappel is to dismember a small congregation, I shall say nothing of
their ingratitude to me, but 'tis proper to let the Society know that they have
more vanity than judgment, else they could not have the assurance to petition
for a favour w''*' entire counties are deprived of, & which I am sure they are
not able to make any addition to. They have been without a head & a heart
since the death of one James Robinson, a true & zealous son of the church, &
that's the reason why they have been imposed upon to trouble the Society.
The people at Chester are desirous to have M'. Backhouse's Bro" encour-
aged from home, to keep School in their village ; & some of them, my old
acquaintances, prayed that I would write in their behalf The Board was
pleased, while I was incumbent in the said town, to allow a Schoolmaster there
£60 ^ ann. This, if resettled with a small addition, will be attended, I make
no doubt, with good consequences, in a place where no church school can
67 [1733.
subsist, by reason of powerful Quakerism, without the bounty of the most
generous men. I am a beggar myself, & must not transgress the rules of
modesty so far as to be importunate in asking alms for others, I recommend-
ing myself to your favour & intercession, by vouchsafing of which, you'l
highly oblige yours, &^, &=.,
GEORGE ROSS.
M\ BECKET to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Lewes, Pensilvania, Aug' 6* 1733.
Rev" Sir,
I received the favour of yours, wherein you acquaint me that the Hon'''^
Society were pleased, at my petition, to order a year's salary to be advanced
in my favour. I accept of that favour with great thankfulness, but did not
draw bills upon the Treasurer for it until a Quarter of a Year after the time
prefixed by you, because your letter did not come to hand till the month of
June last. My parish, I bless God, is in a good condition in one respect, that
is to say, our churches are frequented by numerous congregations ; but the
people, alas ! are poor, & no ways able to pay me this year what they sub-
scribed for to assist me in the payment for the Farm, which they encouraged
me to buy, they having had but very poor crops the year past. So that, beside
what the Society have been so good as to advance, I have £\ 50 still to pay,
being still so much in debt, of this country currency. I have a family, S', of 4
Children, which, since my last letter to you, have lost a tender mother, & I a
careful wife ; & having paid away this year's salary, how shall I do to provide
them necessarys of life during the current year, unless the Hon: Society will be
so good as to give me something by way of benefaction ? Had I come to
England, according to the leave obtained from the Society, & had an opportu-
nity to state my case viva voce, I was in hopes the Society would compassion-
ate me, & bestow something on me ; but as I have laid aside those thoughts,
for reasons I gave you in my last, tho' I can not be so happy as to wait on the
^733-1 68
Society in person, I do yet hope they will pity my case, & bestow something
upon me, whatever they, in their wisdom & goodness, shall think fit. I have
been now in the Society's mission 12 years, & have done all in rhy power to
promote their good designs, not without some success. I hear they have
been so good as to bestow something on M'. Ross & M^ Weyman, whose
circumstances I believe were really necessitous, as well as my own. If they
will be so good to me, it will be a means, I hope, to preserve my poor family
from want at this time, for my farm as yet is not in so good order as to pro-
vide us necessaries. As my distress is real & pressing, so I send this letter
to the Rev^ M". Com"^ Cummings, who is acquainted with my case, to desire
him to testify under his own hand concerning my circumstances in this matter,
I beg you'l do me the favour to lay this before the Hon: Society, & to let me
have an answer, with convenient speed, & you'l greatly oblige, Rev"^ Sir,
yours, &^, &".,
WILL^ BECKETT.
M''. ROSS to the Secretary.
N. Castle, Pensylvania, Oct' 8* 1733.
ReV Sir,
The falling away I complained of & lamented, in my letter to you of Nov^
1732, sensibly abates among us. The Sallies of that spirit that prevailed for
some years in these parts are neither so frequent nor so vigorous. Nay, I may
say what Parmenio in Curtius said to his troops, in the battle of Arbela, with a
small variation, "Videmus isstos qui ferociter modo instabant pedem, referrere
subito pavore per territos," & therefore may Justly encourage my brethren
in the words of that great general, " quid cessatis anne fugientibus quidem
pares estis." Thus stands religion at present, with respect to our mockers in
this colony, while some of our Traditors are making of easy advance towards
making a reconciliation with their persecuted mother ; & I hope, in time it
may be said of many of them, that they preach the faith which once they
destroyed. My friend at London has signified to me what the Hon"' Society
were pleased to decree in my favour. I humbly thank them for their season-
69 [1733.
able relief, and to demonstrate, by real services, my gratitude, I have laid
hold of all opportunitys to exert myself to the utmost in the discharge of my
mission, not only at home, but abroad. Having learned, from one M'. Mont-
gomery, in an accidental conversation, that there were several new settlers in
his neighbourhood from Ireland, who professed themselves members of the
church of England, but that they were in danger of falling away, because
they were like sheep without a shepherd. I offered my service immediately,
and fixed upon a day to preach among them. Accordingly, May last, the 15*
day, I went to the said Montgomery's house, & in his barn, the most con-
venient place he had, I read prayers & preached to a large congregation. It
consisted of a mixt multitude, among whom were many presbyterians, who
are by far the majority of the people of that corner of the Land. The church
people were very thankful, & rejoiced that they had an opportunity of serving
God their own way, in the part of the province so far from any missionary.
This Montgomery's house lies about 24 miles from New Castle, in Chester
County, but some miles more distant from the Town of Chester. I baptised
10 children, & church't 6 women.
I discoursed with one woman, in the Quaker Way, upon the subject of
baptism. Her husband is a church man, by whose means I found an opportu-
nity of acquainting the wife with my thoughts upon that head, which is so
warmly run down by friends. What my success was, time has not yet dis-
covered. I was extremely well pleased to see so many of the congregation
so well versed in & so regular in their deportment at Divine service. This,
with the hopes of enlarging the borders of our Lord's Kingdom, engaged me
to promise them my assistance once a month, as long as the season allowed
me to travel so far from home. I made good my promise to them, as may, be
seen from the following journal :
On S'. Barnabas' day I preached at the said Rob' Montgomery's house,
baptised 3 children, & fixed on the 6"" of Aug' to attend the church there
again. Aug' 6"" I preached the 3'''^ time at Rob' Montgomery's. The con-
gregation was not so large as it had formerly been, there being a rumour
spread abroad among the people that I had altered the day of meeting. I
baptised 2 children.
Sepf 3"*, I preached the 4"" time at the said place, but people not having
due notice, the congregation was not so full as at first. Oct' 2""^, I preached
again at Montgomerie's audience, which was numerous, & broke up with
1733] 7o
general satisfaction. What pleased particularly was my commenting, without
notes, upon the 2°^ Lesson, as I very often do in Country places, to shew the
Dissenters what we can do, as well as others, & to gain them in their own,
while innocent, way. This takes wondrously well with the people I have to
deal with, in the corner I am speaking of. They are, for the most part, North
Country Irish, & are to be gained by approaching in a method suitable to
their taste ; & thus I endeavour, I hope agreeably to my superior's mind, to
reconcile prejudiced persons to our sound but misrepresented communion.
If the Society thinks fit to send a missionary to this new congregation,
known by the name of the church in London Grove, in Chester County in
Pensilvania, there is room enough for an active labourer to reap a plentiful
harvest. The same missionary may have Whiteclay creek Chapel, commonly
called S'. James' church, comprehended within his bounds, since it is in the
neighbourhood of the said Grove. The Country is inhabited back from this
tract of land, called the Grove, 50 or 60 miles, & that generally by those
termed Scotch-Irish. A clergyman settled at the Grove will open a door for
the future progress of the church's increase & unity. I am, Revd Sir, &*=.,
&^
GEO: ROSS.
M\ FRAZER to the Secretary.
Kent County, Pensilvania, Nov' 12* 1733.
Sir,
In obedience to the orders of the Society, this waits on you to let you
know that, after a stormy & dangerous voyage of 10 weeks, I landed safe at
Philadelphia, & after a few days went down about 100 miles, by water, to the
place of my mission. Upon landing, I was received respectfully by several of
the principal Inhabitants, & conveyed to Dover, the County Town, tho' a
small village of about 15 or 16 families. I preached next day in their Court
house, & desired a meeting of the members of the church some days after, at
which we chose 2 Churchwardens & 10 vestrymen, 2 of every 100, the County
being divided into 5 hundreds, & no other regular clergy man in the County
but myself. At the same meeting they began a new subscription for me,
7.1 [I73^
many of the old subscribers being dead. Then & since they have subscribed
very near ;^6o, their currency. They Hkewise began a subscription to build
a new brick church at Dover. Then & since they have subscribed to it about
;^ioo. The former church being old boarded house, so ruinous that it is not
fit to be repaired. I have preached in 5 different parts of the Country since,
it being 40 miles long, & in some places 20 broad, & baptised in all about 60
children & 2 Grown persons. I am obliged, several Sundays, to ride 12
(sometimes 1 6) miles in the morning, but my health has been so bad, for near
4 months past, that for some time I was disabled from doing any part of my
duty, even at home ; & as yet, the fever, tho' abated, continues still upon me.
Wherefore, I beg. Sir, when you lay this before the Society, you'l be pleased
to signify my desire of being moved to some healthier place, for I find my
constitution will not hold it any time here ; but, at the same time, should be
very glad to see this place provided before I left it. A person of discretion
& moderation might do a great deal of good here, & carry off most of the
growing generation, tho' it will be a work of time to bring them to a true
regularity, they having been so long without a regular clergyman. I have no
more to add, but that, with my humble duty to the Hon*"'^ Society, I am, with
respect, Sir, yours, &■=„ &■=.,
GEORGE FRAZER.
M''. ROSS to the Secretary.
New Castle, Pensilvania, March 22"^ 1733.
Rev° Sir,
I make no doubt but you'l have an account of the Rev** M'. Racket's
death, from different quarters ; but as he was my near neighbour, & my son-
in-Law, It concerns me in a particular manner to acquaint you with this, to me,
melancholy news. He departed this life the 7* of this instant, being seized
with a pleurisy a few days before, in his full strength & vigour. This dis-
temper proved mortal to many in his parish, this last winter, as well as to him.
His death is lamented by everybody here, that knew him, but the loss touches
none more sensible here than myself He maintained a fair character, & by
1 735-] 72
his obliging, generous temper & unwearied diligence in his mission, he so far
gained the hearts of his people that his memory is had in the greatest venera-
tion. His great misfortune was that he was surprisingly in debt to one M'.
Millar, in London (how or by what management I will not say), before he
came over into America. This unavoidably led him to run in debt in this
country for his present support. Had he lived 2 or 3 years longer, he would
have surmounted all his difficulties ; but as his case now stands, his cred'*
must suffer, & his widow commence a beggar. What relief she & her 2 chil-
dren can expect in these parts, must come from me ; but, considering my
circumstances, her deliverance must come from another quarter.
The Hon: Society have shown compassion to their poor widows of their
missionaries heretofore, & I hope my daughter will not be excluded from
sharing in their bounty. I assure you she is left in those circumstances that
render her a real object of pity. But what need have I to plead for her? I
am persuaded there is no occasion to offer motives to engage their charity in
a case that is so very evident, & must melt that heart where it finds admit-
tance.
The church in Pensilvania & adjacent countrys enjoy, at present, greater
peace that she was favoured with for some time past. Her adversarys have
run themselves out of breath, & their victory being so small & unprofitable,
they are ashamed of being so zealous to so little purpose.
As to my congregation here, there is no change in it that I can put down
as worthy of your remark, save that I baptised one adult grown man, of a
sober life, about 2 weeks ago. Please not to observe that as I am willing to
water, so I decline no opportunity to plant. This leads me to go abroad, into
the desolate corners of the Country, where I think I can be serviceable, &
the best answer the end of my mission. This liberty I seldom take on Sun-
days, which, if I did, should think it no harm, so long as the church gained
ground by it. I told you, in my last, that I preached to a new congregation
in that part of the Country known by the name of London Tract. On the
19"" of this instant, I visited my new flock, which I found was considerably
increased, & will, I trust, deserve, in a short time, the notice of the Hon"'
Board. I baptised two children, & fixt a day to visit them again. I can say
no more at present, but that I am.
Rev** Sir, yours, &*=., &''.,
GEO: ROSS.
73 [1734.
M\ FRASER to the Secretary.
Dover in Kent County, Nov"^ 28* 1734.
Rev'' Sir,
I received yours of the 18"' of Jan^ last. I have, since my last, gone about
in 9 or 10 different places of this County, some 18, some 20 miles distant from
this, preaching & Baptizing, & Catechising; having, within these twenty
months, have been here baptized 220 persons, of which twenty-five above the
age of 16, seven brought up Quakers, the rest, thro' want of a Clergyman,
regularly bred, & the neglect of parents, had been brought up in a stupid igno-
rance of the use or need of that ordinance. I did not administer the other
sacrament till last Easter, at which were 1 6 Communicants. I had much ado,
both by preaching & conversation, to bring even those who were otherwise
of Church principles, to the just sense of the necessity of this, as well as
other means of grace, it not having been administered in this Country for 24
years past. Our people have begun a new Brick Church at Dover. The
walls are finished, & if the undertaker had not died, would have been covered
in before Winter. They are generally poor, so that the payment of my sub-
scription is very backward.
To the Venerable Society for the Propogation of Christianity
in Foreign parts.
The Petition of M". W"". Lindsay,
Humbly Sheweth :
That having from his youthhood been careful to improve himself in lan-
guages at private schools, after which attended the University at Glasgow, &
studied natural Philosophy, & being examined by the professors there, thought
worthy to have my Diploma given me, as Master of Arts ; & afterwards
attended 2 years under the Rev"* John Simson, & at my departure was honor-
ed with his testimonials (which is ready to be produced), some time afterward
1 734-] 74
being spent in further studies, I took a resolution of visiting North America,
with many of our neighbors & relations, having had testimonials both from the
Church Clergy & Dissenters, with private Letters to Gentlemen there. Upon
my arrival there, in August the 3'^'', 1733, I was encouraged by the Dissenting
Clergy to stand trials for ordination, but the terms of their communion being
narrowed by great impositions and solemn declarations against the Church of
England, I could not, in conscience, comply with so much bigotry; & being
known to the Missionaries, & particularly to the Rev*^ M'. Cummings, his
Lordship's Commissary there, who, after strictest search being made into my
life & character, — which he & the clergy were well satisfied with, — I am re-
commended to this Ven'ble Society & to his Lordship, by his Rev*^ Commis-
sary & your Missionaries in the province of Pensylvania, as a fit person to
fill up the vacancy of Apoquiniminck in Pensylvania. There are some par-
ticular reasons for my filling up that mission, which I should rejoice if this
Ven'ble Society would take notice of
And as I have lately arrived here, thro' the hardships and difficulties of a
long voyage (being beholden to the Missionaries for assistance to have my
passage defrayed), I humbly hope that this Honorable Society will appoint
me Missionary to Apoquimininck (or, if it is disposed of to any other), to
any mission that they think proper. There are 5 vacant places in Pensyl-
vania, who greatly stand in need to be supplied.
1^'. There is Trentown, where Col' Cox lives, where never any Church
has been, a growing, flourishing place, 33 miles from Philadelphia. They
have applied often to M''. Cumming, to write home for a Missionary.
2""*. London Grove, that have already Petitioned for a Missionary, which,
in all probability, will become a great place. They have already done some
endeavors to encourage the Gospel.
3"*. Whitclay Creek, where is a small Church & a considerable body of
people, that have no supply, unless it be by a Sweedish Missionary at some
times.
4*. Concord, in the County of Chester, where are above 70 families, that
are rarely or never supplied with a Day's preaching (unless it be by the Rev"*
M". Backhouse), once in three months.
S"". Amuel & Hopewell, in the Jerseys, lying within some few miles of
Trentown, are likewise destitute of the Gospel.
I would humbly propose to this Hon'ble Society, that if their stock cannot
75 [1736.
bear the opening of a new mission to any of these places, to appoint me
Missionary Itinerant in them, till a vacancy fall in their disposal. It has been
often lamented by many to see such corruption in principle & life in these
places, by being destitute of the Gospel among them. If they can afford so
to do, I shall think myself in duty bound to be as useful in promoting Chris-
tianity there as my poor & weak capacity will allow, & would glory in being
an instrument of propogating Christianity in these American deserts.
And that God may bless your pious and charitable endeavors with happy
success, in your great & generous designs, is & for ever shall be the
prayer & sincere wish of
Your humble Petitioner,
WILLIAM LINDSAY.
TkT. ROSS to the Secretary.
New Castle, June I5'^ 1736.
Reverend Sir,
The Church in this place has lately lost two of its Chief supporters,
particularly one William Read, a person of singular piety, and the greatest
benefactors I had in all my Parish. This, tho' a great discouragement, has
not determined me to lay hold of the favor The Honorable Society were
pleased to grant me, in giving me leave to quit my station for a better. I
must be sorely pinched, indeed, e'er I can resolve leaving my Mission, wherein
I have been so many years employed ; and therefore be assured that as long
as I can subsist upon my salary here, I will continue, and do my utmost to
promote the interest of religion, as I am in Duty bound. The number of
Communicants here are. Ordinarily, 16 at Easter, and other high holydays
near upon 40. My hearers are generally poor, and of a mean appearance.
Many of them are new Comers, from the North of Ireland, who sit now in
pews formerly possessed by those who were reputed Gentlemen. So great
a Change have I lived to see in my Congregation.
With much ado, I collected as much money as bought me a Surplice, but
some grand Villain has not suffered us to enjoy it long. We are now where
1 739-] 7^
we were, and like to continue so, unless you please to use your interest to
relieve our misfortune. We want, likewise, a larger Church Bible, to supply
the dimness of my eye. This I hope you'll take into consideration. The
bearer, M'. William Carry, lived in this Town, as a preacher to a Meeting,
above a twelve Month past, in high esteem for his virtue and learning. How
far I was instrumental to gain him to our side, I shall not presume to say.
You'll find, by his ample Credentials, how worthy he is for your regard, and
how fit for the service of the Society. The Church of Dover, in this Govern-
ment, is now vacant, by good M''. Frazer's returning to England. I wish M'.
Carry may be named his successor. Your assistance in forwarding his lauda-
ble design will be an indelible obligation upon, Reverend Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
GEO. ROSS.
M\ BECKET to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Lewes, July s"', 1739.
Rev° Sir,
We have lately made an agreement with a workman to finish the inside of
our church at Lewes, & are to give him ^55 for the work. It is high time to
do it, after it has stood 1 7 years.
n [1740.
M\ LINDSAY to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New Bristol in Delaware, Sep'. 29, 1739.
HoN^'-^ & Worthy Gent"
We are so surrounded by Quakers & Dysenters in the parts where my
services are employed, that in short I dare not almost insist upon any contri-
butions, so many reflections are so ready to be thrown to hinder others to
join in with us & in fear of losing any of their party's. There is not I be-
lieve one missionary, who Labours under my disadvantages. The places
where I officiate at, are all new fully stocked with professions Enough, and
tho' often differing with one another yet unanimously agreeing to oppose
the Church and its interests, amusing the ignorant, that next comes down, —
Bishops courts and tythes, and not a little, industrious to wrest and abuse the
very offices, and Services of our Church, for fear of losing any ground.
M\ USHER to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover in Kent County, Oct. 27, 1740.
Rev" Sir,
Next to a thorough sense of having discharged my duty, the good effects
my labours have had upon those committed to my charge, gives me the
greater satisfaction. My congregation visibly increasing daily. I Preach at
4 different Parts of the County, and hitherto neither the excessive heat in the
summer, nor Cold in the winter, have prevented my preaching to each of my
congregations, once a month, except in case of indisposition. At my first
arrival, there was a brick church begun in Dover, which is now finished, and
2 wooden Chapels begun, which I hope to see finished before the spring.
I740.] 78
The Churchwardens ^ Vestry to the Society.
(EXTRACT.)
Bristol, Oct., 1740.
Gentlemen :
The favours we have already received from your society encourage us to
ask yet a further favor from you. We understand that, by a letter from your
Secretary, you have been pleased to dispense with the Rev"* M'. Lindsay's
further attendance here, and have appointed the Rev"^ M'. Cambell, of Burling-
ton, to officiate in his place. Pray, Gentlemen, as you are strangers to these
parts of the Country, give us the liberty, without offending you, to represent
to you the inconveniences of the same. The Ferry from one place to the
other is a full mile over, the passage often dangerous and sometimes not
passable for several weeks together, which render divine service here very
uncertain ; and therefore the greatest part of our Congregation, who live 7 or
8 miles distant, and sometimes further, chose rather to join themselves to
other societies, where their worship is more certain than to come so far upon
so great uncertainty. Our sick are seldom visited, the greatest part of our
dead we are obliged to bury without further Ceremony than barely committing
them to the ground, and our infants often dye unbaptized, for want of oppor-
tunities to baptize them. These, Gentlemen, are the misfortunes we labor
under. We lament, and without your assistance, cannot remedy. We there-
fore humbly beg the favor of you (if you think these truths a sufficient motive,
and that the expence will not be too great to your Society), to send us a mis-
sionary, whose residence may be at Bristol, the only Town and Church in the
County ; and we assure you that we will not be wanting on our parts to do
the utmost in our power to render his life comfortable and agreable to him.
,79 [i740.
M\ LINDSAY to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New Bristol upon Delaware river,
Nov' i^ 1740.
HoN^'-^ & Worthy Gent**,
As for those that have been baptized this year, I think, from Nov"^ 1=', 1739,
to Nov"^ I, 1740, are 31. Two young women grown up to years were baptized
by me, and I gave them in charge the great obligations they had come under,
and I hear nothing to object against them, but what they are of a sober be-
haviour. My preaching among the people, at their houses, sometimes causes
some dissenters to bripg out their children to Baptism, that otherwise would
not come to church, as being averse to suretyship or sponsors. It were great
fault I found among the people, and what amases me, the mean opinion they
have of the sacraments. I endeavour to reconcile them to their positive insti-
tution, and by long reasonings on these heads, have brought a great many
to think better.
I read a letter from the Secretary, dated April 24, 1740, which came to my
hands in July 1 6, following in which were these words : " the society, out of
regard to the laboriousness of your mission, have eased you of Bristol, and
added it to the care of M''. Campbell, of Burlington." Having considered a
letter of mine, dated Feb^ 29, 1739, I beg leave to lay before you the state of
Bristol Church, as I have the best reason of any man to know it, having lived
now near to 6 years in that place. When I came here, in June 8, 1735, I
found that church in a very mean condition. There were but 4 seats in' it.
Destitute it was of any minister. Its former friends were gone off to other
societies, as having no stated service among them, and as little a prospect of
Better times. I found none but 4 families in the Town, and 2 some miles
from it. Under that melancholy prospect I begun, and reflected upon king
David's advice to Solomon (i Chron. 22, 16), arise and be doing, and the
Lord will prosper you. I called a vestry, about the repairs of the Church, &
Encouraged them by my residence among them, and supplying them. They
built pews in the Church, they railed in the Chancel table, and fenced the
1 740.] 80
grave yard ; & as curiosity first led many to see and hear the new preacher,
they resorted to Church and seemed pleased, and so joyn'd among us. And,
afterwards, I proposed the building of a new vestry to the Church, of Brick,
which took some time before they began to do it, and I engaged to see the
expences of it defrayed, because I knew that those who would not give any-
thing for preaching could not refuse to do something to the little building, and
what we could do among ourselves, with the mites of others, expected to clear
it off. From a state of confusion and dispersion (by God's help), we came to
be united into some order, & so continue. But the Society's letter coming
now over has disheartened them all, a stop to the building being finished, &
I see we doubt but all will be as before, and the church lost. The missionary
of Burlington cannot supply these people to their satisfaction, for, during the
winter season, the river is so blocked up with frost, that some days is passable,
at other times is not, that I defy any man to keep an appointment at Bristol,
That lives there. The people of Bristol formerly felt it, in M'. Weyman's
Time. Further, the people of Bristol Church lives a pretty way back — about
7 or 9 miles — that cannot attend, and requires a minister to visit there and
preach among them, which I have found has done more service than purely
officiating upon a Sunday in the Church.
Further, the Church of Bristol is the only Church in the whole county of
Bucks, is in a distinct province, and the Town of Bristol is the chief town
(tho' but small), that occasions a resort of People frequently there that gen-
erally has business with the Minister, to call him to visit their sick or bury
their dead, or Baptize their infants, which lies out of the way of a Burlington
Missionary.
Further, the Missionary of Burlington has long ago taken the care of a
place called Allenton, in Monmouth County, 18 miles from Burlington; and
from thence proceeds cranberry, 1 2 miles further off, 30 miles from Burling-
ton in all. Now there are 3 places, viz.. Cranberry, Allenton, Burlington ;
and Bristol comes in a fourth, and yet none of them all can be well attended.
M'. Campbell, the missionary, inform'd me that he wrote home to the
Society and got M'. Vaughan, of Elizabeth Town, to join him, that the 2
Churches of Burlington and Bristol may be united in one, with a view of my
going to be minister of Newark, in essex county, in East Jersey. I refused
the invitation of Newark at that time, and told them I could not leave my
places without the hazard of losing all my people. If such a letter came to
8 1 [1740.
the society, it was unknown to me, for I had no intention of leaving Bristol
till I had got the church once well settled, and the rest of my places once in
good order, and then if a vacancy happened, I should have readily accepted
of it. But the view of having Bristol and Burlington united into one is an
expectation of M'. Campbell having ;^io addition to his Salary, because the
late M'. Weymans, in regard of his numerous family, had ^'jo, instead of ^60.
He seems to raise great hopes of it, tho' he sees plainly & is positavely told
by the people what great good he can be of to Bristol church.
According to the tenor of your letter to me, I have given him the charge
of the church. But the people of the country has declined it, and rather than
they should be dispersed, after my pains, I have promised some times to
preach among them till I hear further from the society ; and if I am to leave
Bristol Church suddenly, I must sustain some disadvantages that are not small.
For I have repaired the Glebe house, an old shattered building that was
formerly made tenantable at my own expences, fit to live in, and then I must
take care to see the charges of the vestry house cleared off, which, by my
leaving them, will come hard upon me.
The yearly meeting of the quakers holds once in 2 years, at Bristol and
Burlington, which occasions a minister to supply constantly there at both
places ; and upon my coming to Bristol, the quakers built up a new meeting-
house, & provides some speakers to keep their followers together, lest they
might drop off to the Church, for my baptizing of some quakers lately has
raised a great uneasiness among them, and the people of Bristol are so sen-
sible of the great loss of my going away, that they have drawn up a Petition
for a resident minister of their own, to be presented to your honorable Board,
which, if rejected, or my leaving them, then farewell Bristol Church for ever,
to the loss of a poor but promising place, to the rejoicing of the quakers, &
the sport of the whitfield followers hereby.
As for Trenton, I supply there once in a fortnight, and we hope to have a
church built there in that Town. I promised to contribute liberally for the
encouragement of it, and in a little time, it's to be hoped, will bring it about.
It's as thriving a growing place as any in new Jersey. The Governor of
Jerseys, ColP Morris, lives now there among them, and it's to be hoped his
influence may be of service. As for Amwell, I supply it occasionally, as the
circumstances of things admit of. I have been there lately, the beginning of
Ocf last, but, alas, what unhappy disorders are got there, by the Preachings
I740-] 82
of the famous M'. Whitfield and his sect. Nothing but despair, melancholy^
outcries of Damnation, are now to be heard. A sober, rational preaching is
now despised, as a book tract. That M'. Whitfield has endeavored to hurt
the designs of the worthy society where ever he comes, nay, in short, of the
body of the Church of England, among a poor, ignorant people, where he
gets large collections (as he says) for the orphan house of Georgia. But I'm
not without hopes that the people will think better. There are some sensible
people strangely misled, but these enthusiastic fervours will cool among them
after a little. Now Bristol people, Trenton, Amwell (Hope well joyns to
Trenton), These places are my charge in the mean time, which I take punctual
care to supply, not only upon Sundays, but many week days. I live peacibly
and in tolerable esteem among the people. My only view, if once well to
settle and compact them together, and embrace the first vacancy of one
particular place in the Society's grant in these parts, and let another succeed
to my charge. As for what Bounty, as subscriptions, I have, is next to
nothing, but yet, for all, I will not be discouraged. The good that may be
done will stand in stead, when the gains of Time perishes from me, and
as I have so worthy, so honorable employers, I'm sure I can never sink or
fall in the discharge of my function, and the late notice taken of me in their
abstract.
And whatever occurs in my way, I shall always notify to them, seek their
advice, let them know my joys and grievances, tho' I have had encouragement
some time ago from Ireland, from some worthy friends, to return there ; but
as the society took notice of me six years ago, pays my salary and supports
me, no inducements shall ever make me desert their services, while I am able
to stay, and if your stock increase, I hope you will not forget me. I'm for
encouraging the Building of 2 churches in my mission, and has promised to
Lend my help that way. Every thing is pretty dear and expensive, which
obliges me to great frugality.
As for London Grove and Whiteclay Creek, I have not been there of a
considerable time, by reason of their being supply'd by one M''. Gordon, who
came from the see of Londonderry, in Ireland. The man behaves well as
yet, but I propose (God willing). In the Spring to pay them a visit for 3 weeks.
There are several clergymen comes over here, wanting settlements upon the
continent, some of which are of no good conduct, but as for this Gordon, I
have never heard any objections to him as yet. I hope what I've writ may be
83 [i74i-
satisfactory to the Hon'''° Society, and in the next I hope to be able to say
further.
Now I shall take leave, and return my sincere and hearty thanks for former
and late favours Rec"* from you, and my most hearty prayers to the great God
are never wanting for your prosperity and success in your glorious designs of
advancing our redeemers kingdom ; & that you may live to hear of your
success in your designs upon earth, and at length accept the glorious rewards
of your charity and goodness in eternal life — Is what offers your dutiful and
obliged missionary and servant.
W. LINDSAY.
P. S. — Please to signify to me by the first opportunity your sentiments
with respect to Bristol Church, for I have but too much Reason to foresee the
dispersion of them poor people. I hold myself in Readiness to obey any
orders that the Hon'''' Board shall give me.
M\ WILLIAM BECKETT to the Secretary,
Lewes in Pensylvania, April 25'^ 1741.
Rev° Sir,
It is surprising to observe how the vulgar every where are inclined to
enthusiasm. M'. Whitefield had a vast crowd of hearers at Lewes in May
last, where he preached 4 or 5 times from a balcony — I beleive sometimes to
not less than 14 or 1500, of all sorts. They contrived, unknown to me, to set
up a religious Society. Some of the Church people (a few, for they made up
not above 30 of all sorts), joined them, but still they came to Church on Sun-
days and Holidays. By using them with moderation, I prevail'd with those
that used to receive the Sacrament not to break Church communion, so they
received on Easter Sunday. But this humour of theirs seems like all other
I74I-] 84
violent things, not to be of long continuance, for they are dropping from one
another, both here and elsewhere, thro' this Province, as I am informed. God
only knows what may be the issue of these things at last. We can only trust
in God, and do our duty.
I remain, Rev^ Sir,
Your most obedient.
Humble Servant,
WM. BECKET.
M\ GEO. ROSS to the Secretary.
Newcastle, Aug' 4"", 1741.
Rev° Sir,
As to my proper charge, the Church in this Place is in a state of peace
and unity. While the flame of dissention scorches the neighbouring Meetings.
This they owe to their fondness of that wild enthusiast, Whitefield, who, when
he found he could not sow his tares in the field of our Church so plentifully
as elsewhere, recommended a set of men among the Presbyterians as unruly
as himself, as the only Ministers fit to be heard and followed. And they have
answered his purpose by raising of a New Sect from among themselves, more
angry and more fierce than any that as hitherto sprung from the unhappy
seperation. >*
I have a few of Whitefields admirers among my Flock, but gentle lenitives
have kept them as yet from breaking thro' the fold. I live in good harmony
with the Dissenters in this Village ; the moderate part of them frequent my
Church with as much freedom as they are wont to resort with to their own
meetings.
Your most Obedient Servant,
GEO. ROSS.
85 [i742.
M\ GEORGE ROSS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New Castle, June s"*, 1742,
Reverend Sir,
I have had no uneasiness given me from the People among whom I serve,
save from two or three weak creatures who have absented from some time
from Public worship, under the notion of New Light & conviction ; one of
whom, a young woman, had such fits of conviction, or rather disturbed imagi-
nation, that she made the very bed whereon she lay to shake & tremble with
her violent agitations, Severals in her condition made away with themselves,
and her friends were apprehensive her new Religion would terminate in the
same fearful end. But, thro' mercy, she is upon the mending hand, & attends
the church in some measure as heretofore. This delusion is owing to White-
field's partizans, who, breaking through the rules of their own professed dis-
cipline, are turned Universalists, in scattering their wildfire throughout the
whole country. Their appearing in Print has given their opponents a handle
to expose their madness ; and many who were carried away with their raging
novelty, are come to their sober senses.
I am, Rev"^ Sir,
Your most obliged & most h"^ Serv',
GEO: ROSS.
M\ BECKET to the Secretary.
(EXTEACT.)
Lewes in Pennsylvania, S^t" 26, 1742.
Reverend Sir,
I acquainted you in my last, of March 29* with the state of my Parish (a
whole county), and it is much in the same state as yet, viz': My Churches are
I74^] 86
full on Sundays & Holydays, & in the Summer my Churches (4 in number)
will not hold the congregations, so that I am often obliged to preach under
the Green Trees, for Room, for Shade, and for fresh air.
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Enthusiasm now abates as fast as
it once increased here. M'. Whitefield's Proselytes have recanted ; some of
them (the most considerable), in Print. And the truth is, your Missionaries
have conquered & convinced them, not so much by opposition, as by patience
& studying to be quiet, and to mind their own business.
You will find my last yi year's Notitia on the other half sheet.
I remain, Rev"^ Sir,
Your most Obed' H"' Serv',
W^. BECKETT.
M. ROSS to the Secretary,
Newcastle, March 6, 174*.
Reverend Sir,
I acquainted you more than once that the Flock with which I am intrusted
is what Grotius understands by that expression, little strength in Apocalyps,
3 chap. 8 v., Modic Ecclesia: a mean, ordinary congregation, both in respect of
number and substance. This ebb of the church here can be by no means laid
to my charge, for all the country about me can bear witness to my diligence
in the execution of my Function, & to this purpose I besought our Governor
to testify to the Society in my behalf, & to let them know the source of the
poor appearance he observes among us, and this . he promised to do with his
convenience. The truth is, the Village is in a ruinous condition, without
Trade, & meanly inhabited ; & most of the few that inhabit it are strongly
prepossed against our way, and tho' the Meeting House be deserted, they
choose to stay at home, rather than attend our worship. This is matter of
fact, as to those in years,, but the Youth in Town are otherwise inclined.
There are several of them who are my constant hearers, & some have applied
to me for Prayer Books, which I am resolved to supply them with, even at my
own Expence, for I might disoblige them should I put them off with the hopes
8; [1745-
of a supply from home. This good disposition in the rising generation makes
me hope that the Church here will recover its former lustre, & be entitled to
your regard [more] than it is at present. The communicants are persons of
very orderly lives, & it is & shall be my endeavour to gain over to their num-
ber as many as possibly I can ; & in this I trust I shall succeed, there being
the greatest harmony betwixt me & my People. I have nothing more of
moment to offer to your consideration at this time, and so remain,
Rev-^ Sir, &=.,
GEO: ROSS.
M''. ROSS to the Secretary.
Newcastle, Nov"' 23, 1745.
Reverend Sir,
As to the church whereof I am a Servant, it is for the most part of my
own training up. I have been now about 40 years in the Mission, & most of
my present hearers I have Baptized & catechized myself, & if I might express
myself without imputation of vanity, they are as true conformists, both in
principle & practice, as any congregation upon this main. 'Tis no small ad-
vantage to the church here, as to its quietness and increase, that the Meeting
House is wholly deserted. The Inhabitants of this Village must now either
come to our church or sleep at home. The latter, the old folks, whose preju-
dices are deeply rooted, choose to do. The former, the younger sort, comply
with, as being free from the frightful denunciations of an Evening Lecture.
Our place of Worship is in good repair, having a Steeple with a Bell, fit
for our purpose. As old communicants die, so new ones succeed almost in
number equal, & this is the reason why my account in this point is much the
same from year to year. Divine Service is duly performed at stated times,
tho' I am pretty far advanced in years. I intend, if providence allows it, to
visit my neighbouring vacant church as often as I can this Winter Season,
hoping you'll take their case into your consideration, with your convenience.
I am, Rev-^ Sir, &^,
GEO: ROSS.
[1746- 88
M\ USHER to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Lewes, Dec"^ 26, 1745.
Reverend Sir,
It is with great pleasure I acquaint you of the flourishing state of my
churches in Sussex County. They are full on Sundays of devout attendants
on our Service, & the Dissenters constantly attend and like our church better
than they have done heretofore. So that I am in hopes my congregation will
increase daily. The distance of my four Churches, one from another, and my
attendance at Dover, once a Month, seems too hard for me. But all this I
think little of, being determined to spend the remainder of my days in dili-
gently performing the duties of my station, & enlarging the Kingdom of
Christ in this world. Since my last I have baptized 1 6 children, some of them
being the children of Dissenting Parents, who, having no Teacher of their
own denomination, have applied to me to baptize their children.
I am. Reverend Sir, &^,
ARTHUR USSHER.
M\ READING to the Secretary.
Apoquiniminck, Nov' 14, 1746.
Rev° & Worthy Sir,
By this first opportunity of a conveyance to England I presume to acquaint
you of my safe arrival at New York, about the middle of July last, imme-
diately upon which I repaired to my Mission, and made so good dispatch
as to enter upon the Ministerial duty here on the 27"" of the same month.
The Members of the Church of England seem well pleased with my quick
return from Europe, and express a grateful sense of the Societies tender con-
89 1746.]
cern for the spiritual welfare, promissing to acknowledge it by paying a due
respect to them in person of their Missionary. The congregation here, as
well as at S'. George's Chappel, seems numerous. Several Dissenters come
to Church on Sundays, and behave decently and reverently during the time
of Divine Service. Our own professed Members are very steady and firm
in their adherence to and attendance upon the sacred ordinances, while all
around is in confusion, the wild notions of Methodism having spread them-
selves as wide in this as in any part of Pensilvania. I have, however, good
grounds to believe that the Congregations under my care will behave with
that circumspection as to be deserving of the notice the Society have already
been pleased to take of them. But of this I must defer a more perfect account,
having been sick of an intermitting fever (the epidemical distemper of this
Country), from the middle of August till the latter end of October, which pre-
vented my officiating among my people, and visiting them in the manner I pro-
posed. But I thank God I am now upon the recovery, and hope by close
application, with the divine blessing on my endeavours, to retrieve the lost
time, and to have the pleasure of soon informing the Society of my good suc-
cess ; though I cannot say that this sickness has been altogether without dis-
appointment to my people, who were thereby almost deprived of all spiritual
assistance, to which I presume to add that it has been no small prejudice to
me in my own private affairs. The Letters you was pleased to put in my
hands for the Missionaries in these parts, I took care to have conveyed as
directed. Those for M'. Locke and M^ Bluet, I put into the hands of M^
Commissary Tenney, of which I gave them immediate notice. I took this
method, because I did not care to trust them by any private hand, and have
long since heard that they have entered upon their respective Missions. The
Members of the Church, lately built at Duck Creek, about twelve Miles distant
from Apoquiniminck, have engaged with one M'. Francis Poulteney, to read
prayers and preach to them on Sundays, and intend to Petition the Society to
have him established as a Missionary among them. I have no personal
acquaintance with this Gentleman, but hear that he has officiated both in
Virgina and Maryland, and that he labours under a very ill fame, and am
farther credibly informed that he has not taken care to preserve his reputation
unblemished, even during the short time of his residence at Duck Creek, but
has given great offence in point of sobriety and moral prudence. I think it
my duty to lay this before the Society, presuming that they particularly ex-
1 747-] 90
pect it from those who are in their immediate service, since they give a general
invitation to every one, by the sacred name of Christ, to lay before them such
kind of informations. I am, with all duty and respect to the Honorable Society,
Reverend Sir,
Your most obliged humble Servant,
PHILIP READING.
M". READING to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Apoquiniminck, Sept' 30, 1 747.
Rev° Worthy Sir,
It is with unspeakable satisfaction that I can inform the Society that the
Churches within my Mission flourish to the highest of my expectations.
During this Summer I have paid several Visits to the remote parts of my
Mission, particularly to the Church at Duck Creek (the Gentleman mentioned
in my last being dead), where I officiated several Sundays, in the Afternoon,
after having performed Divine Service at my proper parochial Church (tho'
with great fatigue, it being 12 miles distant from Apoquiniminck), to very nu-
merous & attentive Congregations, there being generally two & sometimes
300 hearers. On Sunday, the 18"" of June, I took an opportunity of visiting
a bye corner of this part of the Province, where several poor Families inhabit
a Neck of Land that stretches out into the great Bay of Delawar. Here I
read Divine Service & preach'd to a very large Audience, and administered
Baptism to 5 Adults, having first duly prepared them by Examination, and to
1 5 Infants, one or two entire Families making application for that Holy Sacra-
ment. The people were much pleased with my Visit, a Minister of the Church
of England being what they had never seen among them before ; and many
after this, who hitherto had known no distinction of the Sabbath but by Drunken-
ness or idle sports & pastimes, now became serious attendants upon the
Church. But the sickly season approaching, a stop was put for some time to
these excursions, for, at the close of the Summer, I was seized with a violent
91 [1748.
Fever, under which I lay for some days at the point of death. But, blessed
be God, I am now so far recovered as to be able to attend the duties of my
Function, though, through my low condition, not without the greatest hazard.
But I shall never esteem any risque too great, so long as I can in the least
promote those ends for which the Honble Society were pleased to admit me
into the number of their Missionaries. My Catechumens this Summer were
27. The whole of the number Baptised 56, among which were Six Negroe
Infants ; and I have added 5 to the number of Communicants, I am, with
dutiful respect to the Honble Society, Rev"^ Sir,
Your most obedient, most humble Servant,
PHILIP READING.
Af. BLUETT to the Secretary.
Dover, in Kent on Delaware, March 28, 1748.
Reverend Sir,
I wrote you in my last that I hoped to get some account of the numbers
of Inhabitants that are of the Church of England, by getting a List from the
Sheriff of the Taxables in the County, but have not been so happy as to see
him since ; but the many that are Buryed in the Church Yard, in proportion
to those who are Buried elsewhere, some burying in their own Orchards, as
being too far to bring the Presbyterians in their own Burying Ground, & the
Quakers and the Roman Catholicks at their own Plantations, makes me hope
I shall find the number greater than I expected. The sickness that proves so
mortal here is a sort of Pleurisy. Most that have not had them are seiz'd
with the Measles, and when they are seemingly on the recovery, are taken
with the Pleurisy, which suddenly carrys them off, so that hardly a day passes
but we have an account of 2, 3, or 4 deaths, & some times more. We have
buried in our Church Yard some days one, often two or three. I wrote you
word of a PubHck Fast, to be held on the 7* of Jan'ry last, and the occasion
of it, on which day I preached to the greatest audience I have seen since I
came here. The Mortality I mentioned above, together with a late piece of
News from Jamaica, that Don Pedro (a famous Privateer at the Havannah,
1748.] 92
that infested these coasts last Fall), has fitted out 25 Sail of Privateers, at the
Havannah, and will surely attend them in his own Ship of 32 Guns, to cruize
off Cape Henry (a Head of Land between Cheasapeake Bay and our Bay of
Delaware), has struck a great terror in many of the Inhabitants of these parts,
The Quakers, having some time ago absolutely refused to assist in any shape
in their own or other's Defence, as contrary to their Religious principles, the
other Inhabitants, all over Pennsylvania and these Countys, have signed asso-
ciations to hold tog"^ in defence of their own Libertys — Religious and Civil —
which, by God's Blessing, I hope may tend much to abate the animosities
among us, & healing those unhappy differences too common among Christians.
Unanimity, Mutual Love, and Charity are y' subjects on which your Mission-
aries are universally employed and earnestly pray for, and self Defence
proved lawful, & much recommended, in w"** the Ministers of all other de-
nominations, to do them justice, zealously join.
Since my last, I have baptized 1 1 Infants. There was a Quaker woman
that sent to me to Baptize her, being dangerously ill ; but I was unable, being
down myself with a Pleurisy. Brother Usher being happily up here, I sent to
get the favour of him to go, w'^'' I hear he did, and that she is in a fair way of
recovery. So soon as I am able to ride, I purpose, God willing, to visit her.
I have nothing to add, but my humble duty to the Honble Society, and am,
Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
THQs. BLUETT.
Churchwardens of Dover to the Society,
Dover, June 16, 1748.
May it please your Honours:
We, the Church Wardens and Vestry, belonging to the Church in Dover,
in Kent County on Delaware, humbly beg leave to return our sincere and
most hearty thanks for the great favour & pious care which your Honble
Society have been pleased to show & continue towards us, & especially for
your speedy & tender regard to our humble request & mellancholy circum-
93 [1748.
stances occasioned by the, decease of the Rev'' M'. Morris, your late Mission-
ary here, whereupon (as the Rev'' D^ Bearcroft, in his Letter of April y' 3'',
1746, has certified), you were pleased to appoint the Rev'' M". Bluitt to be
your Missionary here, with a Sallary as usual ; being a person well recom-
mended to your Society for his good life and sound doctrine.
We humbly hope your Honours will please to excuse us for being so late
in the thankful acknowledgment of this your pious care & bounty, w'^*' was
not for want of a real sense of our many obligations to your Honorable So-
ciety. But we are at a loss with respect to M'. Bluitt, whose former character
here, as to his Morrals, was such as would not admit us to express any satis-
faction by his coming. On the other hand, we were unwilling to shew any
dislike to a person whome your Hon"^ had been pleas'd to appoint ; Espe-
cially as we did not know but he might have been reform' d, so that part of
our duty was delaid.
The Rev** MV Bluitt, at his first coming, before he mov'd his Family from
Somerset, was inform'd by such of the Wardens & Vestry as then met, that
the People of this County had generally such a very ill opinion of him, that
he had no reason to expect any contributions from them, except by an agree-
able Life & Doctrine, he sho"* render himself serviceable to the Congregation,
or words to that effect.
But, allass ! such was our misfortune & poor M'. Bluitt's unhappiness, that
he had not long been with us before he appeared too much to verifie the
character which he had here ; so that many of the Congregation, Wardens &
Vestry, seeing no hopes of his doing any service, but the reverse, were very
desirous to obtain relief, but was unacquainted with the proper measures for
that purpose. However, the former Wardens & Vestry did prepare a Letter
to the Rev'' Commissary Jenney, of Philadelphia, setting forth the melancholy
state of the Church here, occasioned by the ill conduct of M^ Bluitt, and
desiring his advice or assistance. But (as we suppose), partly by means of
tenderness in some & doubt of success in others, it was not till lately trans-
mited to him ; who was pleased, imediately on receipt thereof, to signifie to
us in writing that we shou'd exhibit to your Honble Society the articles of our
complaint, with sufficient Vouchers ; whereupon we have proceeded to take
the Depositions of sundry persons of credit, in order to transmit it to your
Honours here with. And our complaint chiefly is that M^ Bluitt's Life &
conversation is a scandle to the Church, and such as renders him very dis-
I748.J 94
agreeable to the sacred office of a Minister ; Especially to the receiving and
administering the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which has not been
perform'd in our Church since his coming.
We humbly hope your Honble Society will please to take our case under
your wise & pious consideration, and grant us such relief as to you shall seem
reasonable. And for our parts, if we may again be blessed with a pious
Minister, we are willing & expect the Congregation will also contribute freely
towards his support. Now, with sincere prayers that Heaven may please to
bless your good endeavours, we remain your Honour's much obliged & very
humble Servants to command,
THOMAS NIXON, "I ^, , ... ,
JNo. CLAYTON, | ^^""''^ ^""^^^^
and others.
M\ BLUETT to the Secretary.
Dover, in Kent County on Delaware, June 26, 1748.
Rev° Sir,
A violent Fit of the Pleurisie and the sickness of my Family (having lost
my youngest child, & my wife dangerously ill), has prevented my having any-
thing this Quarter worth writing. I have only Baptized 7 Infants. But as it
has pleased God to restore me to good Health, I purpose to go to the Back
Forrests of this County, where I am told are many children to be Baptized,
& give them Sermons on week days this ensuing Summer. The people,
many of them being so poor, they have not Horses to attend our churches.
I have nothing to add, but humble duty to the Society, and assuring them I
will use my best endeavours to promote their pious and charitable intent,
I am. Sir,
Your most humble Serv',
THO^ BLUETT.
95 [1748.
D\ JENNET to the Secretary.
Philadelphia, July y* 3o'^ 1748.
Rev° Sir,
I have the disagreeable task put upon me by the Church Wardens &
Vestry Men of Dover, to send you their Petitions & Affidavits, which are
enclosed with this. I believe there can be no doubt of the justness of the
charge against M'. Bluit, & indeed it is wonderful how he got into Orders, or
into the Honble Society's service, & especially to be sent to a place where he
formerly lived as an Attorney at Law, and was noted for the same vices which
he now practiseth. The Church Warden (Nixon) sais that he is erroneous in
his principles, as well as immoral in his practices. That he hath never
publicly administered y"= Sacrament of y= Lord's Supper, & will not use the
Athanasian Creed on y^ days appointed. He is well known in this City, but
not to his credit. It is wondered how he came to be admitted. The Friends
of our Church look upon him with sorrow & shame, and our Enemies ridicule
us upon his account. I have a private Letter from thence which sais that the
flourishing Congregation of Dover is dispersed & like to come to nought, &
all proceeds from the aversion people have to y^ ill behaviour of M'. Bluit.
It is a pity that ever M"'. Usher left that place. I submit the whole to the
wisdom of the Honble Society, with my humble duty, & am, Rev"^ Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
ROB^ JENNEY.
p, S. — I hope you received my Letter of Thanks to the Honble Society
for the appointment of M'. Sturgeon Catechist & Assistant here. He tells
me that he hath formerly & will, by this opportunity, give you a particular
account of his proceedings & success. He is a very good Man, sober in his
conversation, & diligent in his business.
ROB^ JENNEY.
I750.J 96
M''. NEILL to the Secretary.
Dover, November y^ 8* 1 750.
Reverend Sir,'
I embrace this as the first opportunity of acquainting you of my safe
arrival to this place, which was about 3 months ago, & have been unanimously
received by my Parishioners with large promises ; but, as touching their per-
formance, I can say little as yet. Dover Church is in a miserable condition.
It looks more like a refuge for Wild Beasts than a House dedicated to y* ser-
vice of God. They have contributed towards the repairing of it, which I
hope will be finished in the Spring. Duck Creek Congregation appears very
unanimous, and their Church is in tolerable good repair. There is likewise a
Chappel, about 14 miles from Dover, where there is a prospect of a good
Congregation. The late confusions, introduced by y' New Lights & Itinerant
Teachers of other Sectaries, having prevailed by the ignorance of the popu-
lace, hath caused great divisions — the Established Church being the mark in
particular they all shot at ; but blessed be God, there seems to be a stop put
to their proceedings, & people begin to examine Religion with calmness and
moderation. I have endeavoured, since my recovery from y" Fever & Ague
(which continued Six Weeks after my arrival), to spend what time I could in
y" respective Families of my congregation, conversing with them concerning
the Doctrines of Enthusiasm & Schism, two points they seem ignorant of.
The Tryal of Whitefield's Spirit & D^ Beveridge's Sermon concerning the
excellency of the common Prayer, has been of general service on these heads.
As I desire nothing more than the advancing of Christ's Holy Religion, as it
is by Law established, not only to render myself acceptable to y' Venerable
Board, who has counted me worthy to be in their service, but above all to be
approved of in y' day when y' secrets of all flesh shall be made manifest ; so
there is nothing I desire more (next to the Grace of God), towards to my
assistance, than, Reverend S', your pious, charitable, & prevailing Prayers for
one who shall think himself always honoured by being permitted to subscribe
himself.
Your humble, obed', & most affectionate Serv',
HUGH NEILL.
97 [i75i.
M''. NEILL to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, September y= i"', 1751.
Reverend Sir,
According to y" exactest account I could make, I find the number of Tax-
ablors or Families within this county to be 1320. Those who profess them-
selves of the Church of England make almost an equal balance in number
with y'= Dissenters of all sorts. We have two small Quaker Meeting-houses,
one independent Teacher that attends two other places of worship, one Pres-
byterian Meeting-house, but no Teacher, one New Light meeting-house,
without any Teacher, and about five or six Families of Papists, who are
attended once a month from Maryland, with a Priest. There are two churches
and one small Chappie within the bounds, but none of them are finished or in
good order. The people have contributed tolerably well towards repairing of
them. I have the pleasure and satisfaction to see my congregations increase
daily, and a number of families that were ready to be lead astray by the various
sectaries are become steady attendants at Church. The number of Commu-
nicants last Christmas was twenty, and they have increased since to y° number
of Forty. I have baptized, from the 10* of last November, 177 White chil-
dren and 10 adults, five of them being one family. As Y Negroes in this
place are very numerous, I have endeavour'd to use all the diligence possible
concerning their^instruction, by distributing his Lordship of London's Letters
upon that point among the respective Families of my congregation, and
appointing them to meet me every Sunday Evening at Church, for their
further improvement in y^ Christian Doctrines. I bless God my labour has not
been lost, for these poor creatures give constant attendance from the different
parts of the Country. I have baptized 109 adults of them, and seventeen of
their children, but as I am destitute of proper helpes for their Instruction, I
would beg the favour of y" Venerable Society to send me a few of Lewis's
Catechisms to distribute among them, which I make no doubt will tend greatly
to their advantage. I have, since M'. Usher's departure, visited the County
of Sussex several times, and find the two congregations in the Country to be
1752.] 98
regular and numerous, but that in Lewistown appears to be but small, I believe
by reason of the Town going very much to decay.
I am, Rev** Sir,
Your humble & most obedient Serv',
HUGH NEILL.
The Churchwardens &* Vestrymen of S'. Mathew s Chapel to
the Society.
(EXTRACT.)
Sussex County on Delaware, Aug. i, 1752.
We, your humble Petitioners, the Churchwardens and vestry of S*. Ma-
thew's Chapel, having been credibly informed that the Churchwardens & vestry
of the Churches of Lewes & Indian River, in this County, have petitioned to
your honorable Society for a Minister to attend those 2 Churches only, which
we conceive will not answer the good ends & purposes by you intended, it
being well known by the Rev*^ M"'. Usher, our present Minister, who has
promesed to inform that S'. Mathew's Chapel, in this part of the County where
we belong, hath by much the largest congregation, who have been always Zeal-
ous to embrace evry opportunity of joining in the Divine Service, Greatest
number of Communicants, and many children Baptized, besides have sub-
scribed the most freely to their Minister, and (God be thanked) always have
kept up a good harmony, one with another.
99 [1752.
M'. ROSS to the Secretary.
Newcastle upon Delaware, Oct' 13, 1752.
Rev° Sir,
I am at this time upon the verge of Extreme old age, being, according to
my own computation, in the 73"^ year of my life, and the 47 of my mission.
Hence some imagine that I am not only the oldest missionary, but the oldest
man in the mission. Be that as it will, I have been very often exercised for 2
years past with those maladies and infirmities which are commonly incident to
my present stage of life. This, to my no small mortification, interrupted my
former correspondence with you, and perhaps exposed me to the charge of
negligence. My Service at this time is confined to the mean village of New-
castle, where little or nothing occuring beside the common offices of a settled
cure, it was not in my power to offer any thing to your consideration that
deserved a place in your collection. As to the Behaviour of my hearers at
the public worship, it is not to be complained of, save that the word Amen, for
want of a Clerk, is much suppressed amongst us. As I am in a tottering con-
dition, this may happen to be my last to you. If this should be the case, I beg
this may transmit my most hearty acknowledgments to the Hon"' Society for
their innumerable favours conferr'd upon me in the course of a long mission ;
which, had my lot fallen any where but in a poor sinking town, would have
prov'd, I believe, more Successful. I cannot clear myself from oversights &
mistakes in the course of so many years, but, thank God, he has been pleased
in his great goodness, to preserve me from such blots and stains as would do
harm to the cause I was engaged to maintain, — the Honor, I mean, and in-
terest of the Church of England, from which I never varied from the day I
wrote man. I cannot conclude without paying my just acknowledgments to
you, who upon all occasions show'd yourself a constant advocate for & real
friend to,
Rev-^ Sir,
Your most obliged & most humble servant,
GEO. ROSS.
1 759-] loo
M\ USHER to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Lewes, Oct. i8, 1752.
Rev" Sir,
The congregation of Sussex County have requested me to apply to your
venerable Society, in their behalf, that no Missionary who has been bred a
Dissenter, may be sent to them, because such are seldom or ever steadfast in
principles, but comply too far with the Dissenters, which gives offence to those
of our Church, renders the Minister contemptible in the eyes of his hearers,
and consequently incapable of doing any service among them.
M\ ROSS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New Castle, io"" Ocf, 1759.
Rev° & Good Sir,
It is with great Pleasure I can now acquaint you that, thro' the divine
assistance, I have been better enabled to go thro' the Service of the Church
and preaching than I have been for these two years past, & that I live in good
Esteem with the people here, both of our own & the Presbyterian Church,
which is by far the most numerous Congregation. But I am in great hopes I
shall see the Congregation of the Church at New Castle flourish, to accom-
plish which my Endeavours shall never be wantinge.
loi [1760.
M\ INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, May 10* 1760.
Reverend & Worthy Sir,
When I wrote to you last, I acquainted you with the Resolution which the
Clergy of this Province had formed of holding a Voluntary Convention this
Spring. The Convention was accordingly held the 2^ of this Instant, at Phila-
delphia, from which I am just returned.
As D-". Jenny was incapable to act, we chose D^ Smith for President, who
also Preached a sermon suitable to the occasion. The number of Members,
including two Missionary's from Jersey, was twelve ; & so many Black Gowns
made no inconsiderable appearance, I can tell you, in these parts. A copy of
our minutes & transactions will be laid before you, so that I need not say
anything concerning them. Every thing was conducted with Decorum, &
without any confusion, except what was occasioned by one turbulent member,
M^ Maclenachen, whose Behaviour D'. Smith, I doubt not, will represent in
its due Light. I sincerely wish our addresses may have their desir'd effect,
for without Bishops & Ecclesiastical Discipline, our Church will languish &
decline here daily.
When the Convention was on the point of breaking up, we had the pleas-
ure of hearing you were in good health, by the arrival of M"^. Thomson,
Missionary for York & Cumberland ; & altho' I received no Letter by him,
yet believe me there is not one to whom the account of your welfare gave a
more sensible Pleasure.
In Compliance with the Society's Instructions, I send a Notitia parochialis,
in the prescribed form ; but it is impossible to draw one up with any exactness
or certainty, as affairs now stand. It would be easier to ascertain the number
of Inhabitants in any of the Shores of England, with the number of Baptized,
Dissenters, &c., than in a County here, where no regular register being kept
(except of Taxables), hundreds of the Inhabitants are not at all enrolled,
& great numbers daily removing from one County & Province to another.
This Mission includes the whole County of Kent, which extends upwards
1760.] I02
of 30 miles along the River Delaware ; & as I have a Church at the extremity
of each end, besides Dover, the greatest part of these Congregations is made
up of Inhabitants from the borders of the two adjoining Counties, New Castle
& Sussex. There are in this Country several hundreds of people who per-
haps have never heard a Sermon, & do not belong to any religious denomina-
tion of Christians. Such, for the most part, are those who inhabit the large
Forests which lie between us & Maryland, & the vast Marshes that stretch
along the River Delaware. I went among the former of these last Autumn
several times, on week days, & preached. Once I baptized 25 white children
after sermon.
The People in general ar.e very loose. The party spirit that rages among
them contributes not a little to this ; each Party, in order to ingratiate them-
selves with the Populace, inviting them to Publick meetings, which are nothing
but Scenes of Drunkenness and Debauchery. I must, however, do them
justice in mentioning a becoming Zeal which they discovered in repairing the
Church of Dover, which lay in a most shocking Condition when I came here,
but is now finished, & ornamented with a Bell, Pulpit Cloth, &c., the Dona-
tions of particular Gentlemen. I am not without hopes of seeing a further
reformation, as my Churches are crouded on Sundays, & I have had such a
Call for the Society's small Tracts, that they are all disperst now to about one
Dozen.
M". INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, Sept' 26* 1760.
Rev° Sir,
I have frequently mentioned to you the Dissentions & Parties among the
Inhabitants, especially the members of our Church, who generally carry them
to the greatest Lengths. The source of these is the annual Election of Rep-
resentatives & Sheriffs, by the People. To ingratiate themselves with the
people, Candidates for these Offices appointed places, where they invited the
I03 [i76i-
Inhabitants to treat them with Liquor, provided for that purpose. These
meetings, which were held once a week for near 2 months before Election
Day, the first of Oct', were attended with the most pernicious consequences.
The People's morals were entirely debauched at them, for he was best liked
who gave the most liberal treat. By this means they became Scenes of the
grossest debauchery & Vice.
I was determined this Autumn, if possible, to remove this Evil. The
method I took was this : As soon as I was informed where a meeting was to
be held, I gave Notice that I was to preach near that place, & on that very
day. This at first drew the most serious part of my own hearers from them,
as well as those of other Denominations, whose example was soon followed
by great numbers. I also prevailed with the most considerable of the Candi-
dates not to go to them, & those of less Note followed their Example.
Thus, by persuading the Candidates to stay away. Preaching near the
places they were held, & setting them in that horrid light they deserved, these
Riots dwindled almost to nothing. This gives me the greatest Pleasure, &
the more so, as it has been in a great measure the means of increasing my
Communicants to above double what they were when I first came here.
M'. INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, June 21^', 1761.
Rev° & WORTHY Sir,
It is with the utmost pleasure I acquaint you of the success I have had
here in my Ministry. A perfect Harmony has hitherto subsisted between me
& my people. Many reigning vices are checked, some quite suppressed, & a
greater sense of Religion evidently prevails. This, however, is only the case
in the parts adjacent to my Churches ; for, in the large forests belonging to this
Country, the Inhabitants are in a deplorable state of Ignorance. Few of them
can read, & they scarce ever hear a Sermon, except when I go among them
1761.J I04
of a week day, which I intend to do once a month, at least, during the Summer
& Autumn. Relations of this sort, I am sensible, have too much the appear-
ance of ostentation, & that in things where the greatest humility is necessary.
Were it consistent with my duty, I should therefore omit giving them.
The Missionaries & other Episcopal Clergy of this Province have had
another voluntary meeting at Philadelphia. We have no design but to be-
come better acquainted with each other, & hold friendly Conferences on what
may best promote the common cause of Religion & our Church. I hope, Sir,
you approve of it. Did you in the least disapprove of our thus meeting, nothing
would induce me to it, till you were satisfied ; altho' I am convinced it can be
productive of no harm, here at least, but of much good. The Congregations
of White Clay Creek & New London, in Chester County in this Province,
applied to our Convention to be recommended to the Society for their Bounty
& a Missionary ; & to have a Sermon at their Churches from the Missionaries
as often as convenient, till they had one fixed among them. This last we
immediately consented to, & agreed y' the Missionaries, in their turn, should
give each Congregation a Sermon every month till next May. I was the first
appointed to preach to them, which I did the first Sunday & Monday of this
month, to each Congregation, whose Churches are 16 miles asunder. They
are decent, well disposed people, & will, I think, do all in their power to sup-
port a Missionary. At New London they are going to rebuild & enlarge
their Church, but not being able to do it without assistance, they concluded to
set a Lottery on foot for that purpose ; & accordingly, at their desire, I drew
up a scheme of one for raising ;^450, before we parted, but know not yet
whether it will answer the end. We had no disturbance, this Convention,
from M". Maclennachen. His followers fall off fast.
I05 [i7<5i.
M\ ROSS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New Castle, 8* Oct', 1761.
Rev" good Sir,
In May last, the Congregation of S'. James's made application to the
Clergy of Pensylv", then met in Convention at Philad% to join them in an
address to the Honourable Society for a Missionary for S'. James's & Fog's
Manor. The circumstances of my family were such that I could not leave
them at the time of the Convention, which deprived me of the opportunity of
informing the Clergy there of the Situation of this intended Mission, the cir-
cumstances of the People, & such other weighty reasons, as I conceive, would
have prevented any application being made to the Honourable Society on
that head, or the trouble I now give you on the occasion.
The Mission of New Castle was early fixed on the first settling of this
Country, & this Church of Eng^ has been constantly encouraged, as far as the
Circumstances of the people could admit, to which an handsome Glebe now
belongs. And as it is the ancientest Town, so it is the Seat of Government,
& where, at Publick times, there is a great resort of Persons of the highest
rank among us, as well as the Common Parishioners.
The Chappel of S'. James's, at the extent, is not more than Eight miles
distant from this town, & so much out of repair, as well as ill situated, that
the Congregation there purpose to build a new one at Newport, a small Town
four miles from this Town ; so that it is very apparent when that is done, one
Missionary may attend both places, as is frequently done at a much greater
distance, in many parts of this Country. I need only name my brother Read-
ing, whose Mission is in this Country, & who has for many years served two
Churches, twelve miles distant from each other. I am therefore of opinion
that Missions established so near each other would rather be an injury than
service to the Church. The Harvest is very great & the Labourers few.
The Country is of great extent, & inhabited by People in great distress, both
in respect of themselves & their Children, other Religions spreading among
them, and however well inclined, the Church of England litrie established.
1761.] io6
These are the places that loudly call for the Charitable assistance of the hon-
ourable Society, We are most humbly thankful for the Care taken of us.
We have two Missions in this County, within Twenty miles of each other.
The deplorable condition of our fellow creatures at a much greater distance,
& in more real want than those now recommended, engaged me to give this
account of the state of the Church in this Neighbourhood, fully satisfied with
whatever the Hon^'° Society, in their wisdom, shall think best to do.
I am, &c.,
2ENEAS ROSS.
M\ INGLIS to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, November 27, 1761.
Sir,
My distance from Philadelphia, & want of a proper conveyance, have pre-
vented me from writing to you sooner. Besides it being my duty, it is a
pleasure to write, as the account I can give you of my Mission answers, I
think, in some measure, the pious designs & Expectations of the worthy
Society.
In an unhealthy situation, I am still blessed with a sound state of health ;
& of so distinguished a Blessing I would look on myself to be utterly unde-
serving, did I not employ it in that good cause & end for which it was given.
I really do so in the discharge of my ministerial Duty, according to my best
judgment and abilities ; & I bless the Almighty for it, my Labours are not
without a Blessing. This gives me spirits, & animates me with ardour &
resolution to go through the difficulties I meet with. My Congregations continue
still to increase, & by the time that all the lukewarm members of our Church
in this Mission become Zealous, they may be near double what they are at
present. For of these lukwarm People, there is still such a number as may
truly humble a Clergyman that has been fixed any considerable space of Time
I07 [1762.
among them. The number, however, decreases, thank God, & trust it will
decrease more.
My Church at Duck Creek is now too small for the Congregation. After
it is quite crouded, on Sundays, there are always very many who cannot get
in, nor receive any benefit by coming to it. To remove this inconveniency,
the People have determined to build a new Brick Church, of larger Dimen-
sions than the present Church, which is only wood. Undertakers have been
agreed with lately to build this Church. An addition has also been made this
Autumn to my Church at Mushmillion, which enlarges it above one third.
The Commissioners appointed by the Proprietors of Maryland & this
Province are now running the boundary Line between the two Provinces.
This Line will throw some of Maryland into this County, by which my Mission
will be enlarged.
M\ INGLIS to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, June 15* 1762.
Rev° Sir,
After the loss of our late worthy Secretary, The Rev"^ D'. Bearcroft, it
gives me singular pleasure to find he is succeeded in that office by a person
whose acknowledged merit & excellent Character add Lustre to it ; & also
give pleasing Expectations to all connected with the Society for propagating
the Gospel in Foreign parts, to see their Affairs conducted to their satisfaction
& to the best advantage. Of those who have these expectations, & have the
honour to be connected with that venerable Society, I am one — their Mission-
ary at Dover, in Pensylvania.
Perhaps it may not be disagreeable to you, this being the first time I have
had the pleasure of writing to you, to give you a short account of the state of
this Mission. It may enable you to judge the better of what may hereafter
occur, & may fall under your future consideration. The Mission of Dover
includes the whole County of Kent, which is thirty-three measured miles in
length, stretching along the River Delaware ; & as the present Line between
1762.] io8
it & Maryland runs about ten miles in Breadth, where narrowest, tho' it will
be broader, by almost three miles, when the Line which is runing between it
& that province is run out. The Country, for this part of the world, is thick
settled, the whole County containing, at a moderate Computation, about seven
thousand souls. Of those who hold religious Communion with any Denomi-
nation of Christians, of that number, upwards of one third are members of
the Church of England. There are three Quakers & 4 presbyterian meeting
houses. Presbyterians are much more numerous than the former.
When I first came here, in the year 1759, I found three Churches; one of
Brick, at Dover, near the Center of the County, but quite out of order &
indecent, without yard, without Glass, Plaister, Ceiling, Door, or Window
Shutters. The other two of wood, & in the same condition ; one at each end
of the County, & on the great road leading thro' it. To have these Churches
put into decent repair was the first object of my attention, & this I have suc-
ceeded in. The Church of Dover is now decently finished, & ornamented
with a velvet Pulpit Cloth, Cushion, &c., besides a Bell, which were Donations
from several Gentlemen. The Church of Mispillion, at the lower end of the
County, being too small, an addition of two wings have been made to it — one
to each side — & the whole is also decently finished. The Church of Duck
Creek, in the upper end of the County, being too small, also, & being old
besides, & decaying, the people unanirhously agreed to build a new Brick
Church, of larger dimensions, & after a sermon I preached on the occasion^
they subscribed very liberally, according to their Circumstances. The Church
is now a building, & I expect to preach in it before next Winter.
Besides these three, a fourth Church was built last Autumn, by a number
of People on the Border of Maryland, who are at such a distance from any
of the former, that they could seldom attend them, even in Summer. Many
of them have lived for whole years together without hearing a sermon, their
Children grown up unbaptized & uninstructed. It was this which made me
consent to forward the Building of it & attend it, which I do on a week day,
once a month ; for I had too much Fatigue & Duty to go thro' before. The
religious state of these People was truly deplorable & affecting, & as they
were extremely pressing I should come among them, & chearful in subscribing
towards building the Church, tho' miserably Poor, I thought it my Duty, while
Providence spared my Health, to undergo any Fatigue, rather than omit such
an opportunity of doing some good among them.
109 [1762.
This Church, which I have called S'. Paul's, is a large wooden Building, at
the same distance from Dover where I live, as that of Mispillion, each being
Eighteen miles from it, & fifteen from each other, in the same end of the
County. The Church of Duck Creek, in the other end of it, is fifteen miles
from Dover. You must naturally conclude, from these distances between my
Churches, that it is extremely fatigueing to attend them. Were it not that I
have youth on my side, & that Providence has blessed me with an uninter-
rupted state of good health since I came here (which is the more remarkable
as the Country is low & marshy, the Inhabitants very sickly, & my constitution
weak), were it not, I say, for these, I never could attend them, or go thro' the
Parochial Duties of so extensive a Mission. Should I continue here till ad-
vanced in age, or should I grow sickly, it would be impossible for me to
undergo the Fatigue I have at present.
Chief -Justice HOLT to the Secretary.
Lewes, June 26'\ 1762.
ReV Sir,
Your known Zeal & attachment to the Doctrine and Discipline of the
Church of England, as well as your being a member of the venerable &
Honorable Society, De promovendo Evangelis in Partibus Transmarinis, and
also an inhabitant of my native City (Philadelphia), emboldens me to give you
the trouble of Preferring the Petition & address herewith sent, in order to get
the Mission of Lewes, in Sussex on Delaware, stored & supplyed with a
Pastor, who may walk worthy of the Holy Vocation wherewith he is called.
And now. Sir, permit me to subscribe myself, on behalf of the Congrega-
tions of S'. Peter's Church, S'. George's & S'. Matthew's Chappels, in Sussex
aforesaid,
Rev"* Sir, your most obd' humble Serv',
R. HOLT.
1762,] no
M'', ROSS to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Philad*, July a""*, 1762.
Rev° Sir,
I have nothing material to communicate with regard to the Churches here
under the Mission, save that I understand some people about White Clay
Creek, in Newcastle County, have applied to the Society for a Missionary.
Sure that people-must be very unreasonable to expect it of the Society. To
my certain knowledge, there are not ten families Church people in that neigh-
bourhood. The Church is not above seven miles from Newcastle. My Hon'^
Father, while Missionary at Newcastle, at their request, officiated every third
Sunday in the Summer season, till they dwindled & became in a manner no
people. My Brother, Eneas Ross, the present Miss"^ there, would attend the
few that remain, if they desire him. Surely there are many Places in this
Province that stand in much greater need of such supply than that people.
The Society, I am told, allow M'. Sturgeon, of this City, ;^5o sterling per
annum as Catechist to the negroes. I presume he has omitted to draw for
that Salary the last two years. If he has drawn for it, he has done very un
fairly (to say no worse) by the Society.
D\ SMITH'S Observations.
London, Sept' 7* 1762.
Petition to the Society from the Three ancient Episcopal Churches in the County
of Sussex on Delaware, in the Government of Pensylvania.
N. B. — Sussex County lies on Delaware Bay & the main Ocean, about 1 20
or 130 miles South of Philad* and Lewes, in the County Town.
It has been an old Mission ; but about 7 years ago fell jusriy under the
Society's displeasure, by refusing to receive M". Cleveland, a worthy Mission-
Ill [1762.
ary sent to them, whom they kept out of the Churches ; being unhappily led
into this by one M'. Harris, a Clergyman whom they had on the Death of their
former Missionary, called from Maryland to Lewis, without the Society's
appointment. On Refusal of M'. Clevland, who soon after died at Philad%
having been appointed Missionary at New Castle, the Society stopped the
Salary usually paid to the Lewis Mission ; & M". Harris, not being able to
live without it, left that place a year or two ago. The People have seen their
Error, & are heartily sorry for it, & it would be of much service to the Church
to restore their Mission & send a worthy Clergyman among them, upon their
giving Bond to some person there for his support.
WILL: SMITH.
M\ INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, Dec'' 2""^, 1762.
Rev" Sir,
In my last letter, by the Rev"^ M"'. Duche, I gave you a brief state of this
Mission. Things are now much as there were at that time, only a new Brick
Church at Duck Creek, which I have called S'. Peter's, & was begun then, is
carried up side wall high, but cannot have the roof put on it, by reason of
some accidents that could neither be seen nor prevented, before next Spring.
This Church, when finished, will be the largest, most commodious, & decent
Church in the whole Mission. The state of good health I have hitherto en-
joyed in this Mission has been interrupted this Autumn. From the begining
of August till the latter end of October, I have been sadly afflicted with the
fever & ague. A few days ago I had a relapse, out of which I am now re-
covering. It has reduced me very low, & Heaven only knows what may the
Event be. The bad air in this place, with the Fatigue of attending Four
Churches, three of which are thirty miles apart, brought this Disorder on me.
The fatigue is in truth more than I am able to bear, & a few years must in-
evitably put a period to my life, if I continue to undergo it.
1763-] 112
M\ INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, July 26* 1763.
Rev" Sir,
I can, with equal pleasure & truth, assure you that this Mission is in a
flourishing state ; if building & repairing Churches, if Crouds attending the
public worship of God & other religious ordinances, if some of other Denomi-
nations joining us, & the revival of a spirit of Piety in many, can denominate
it such. Tho' I must tell you at the same time, there is still left Lukwarmness,
Ignorance, & vice enough to humble me sufficiently, & exercise, if I had it, an
apostolic Zeal.
The greatest Check I have received here has been from sickness. From
the first of last August to the middle of March, I do not remember that I had
ten days together of sound health. This was partly owing to the unhealthi-
ness of this Place, & partly to the excessive Fatigue I had in a Mission so
extensive, in which there are four Churches, & two of these thirty-two miles
apart. I live as near the Center of the County as I could conveniently fix
myself. In this situation I am one mile from Dover Church ; Fourteen miles
from S'. Peter's Church, at Duck Creek, in the upper end of the County ;
seventeen miles from S'. Paul's Church, near Maryland, built since I came
here, & where there never had been a Church before ; & I am Eighteen miles
from Christ's Church, at Mushmillion, in the lower end of the County. These
Distances are all measured, & you may judge what fatigue it must be to attend
them, besides frequent Calls to visit the Sick, to baptize, & bury.
The Congregation of Duck Creek are now putting a roof on a new Brick
Church they begun last Summer, They have lately drawn a Petition to the
Society, requesting that I might officiate with them the half of my time, & so
be wholly fixed between them & Dover. I sincerely wish the Society would
Comply with this request, provided a Missionary were sent to officiate at my
two lower Churches. One Missionary could easily attend these & the upper
Church of Sussex ; & these Churches have desired me to assure the Society
that upon their Grant of sending a Missionary, they will immediately purchase
a Glebe, build an House on it, & further contribute annually to his support
113 . [1764.
what is usually required by the Society. I am so well acquainted with the
People that I can engage they will comply with these Terms punctually, on
the Grant of a Missionary. My two lower Churches, either by themselves or
in conjunction with the upper Church of Sussex (where I sometimes preach,
& have lately got the people to set about a subscription to build a new Brick
Church), will do this, as the Society Pleases. These Congregations would
have joined in a Petition to this purpose, but were hindered by a mistaken
Delicacy & Fear to offend me, or dissolve the connections between us. I
often urged them to it.
M'. INGLIS to the Secretary,
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, Nov"' 20, 1764.
Rev° Worthy Sir,
I now sit down to answer your Letter of the lo"" of last February, which
I would have done before, but that it was not in my power to satisfy you fully
as to the Contents of it. You therein informed me that " the Society were
" willing to comply with my request, & to relieve me from part of my duty, by
" sending another Missionary for the People of S'. Paul's Church, near Mary-
" land, & Christ Church, at Mushmillion," provided the Society were " pre-
" viously informed for certain what sum these people will engage to contribute
" annually to their Minister, & also what assurance they will give of a suitable
" Equivalent in lieu of a House & Glebe, till one can be provided." On re-
ceiving this Letter, which was about the middle of last May, I communicated
the contents of it to the several Members of these two Churches who
expressed much gratitude to the Society & willingness to comply with their
proposal, to the utmost of their power. I immediately opened a subscription
at each of the Churches to purchase a Glebe, The Preamble I drew in such
a manner that the several subscriptions are recoverable by law, if any should
hereafter refuse to pay. The sum of £\ 50 is now subscribed, & there are
some subscriptions to be taken in yet. That sum only will purchase 150
acres of Land in that end of the County, for Land is there cheap. The Glebe
1764.] 114
is to be located as near Midway between the two Churches, as a healthy situa-
tion & fertile Land can be procured. The subscriptions are to be paid & the
Glebe purchased on the first arrival of Missionary ; and the people solemnly
promise to set about building a Glebe house immediately after.
The next & most difficult thing to be done was to fall on a method for
raising an annual sum for the Missionary's support. Among a variety of
methods proposed, the one I fixed on as the best & surest was this : — I asked
the several owners of Pews how much they were willing to contribute annu-
ally for their respective pews to a Missionary who would attend both Churches
alternately. The sums they mentioned I set down opposite to their names,
& they unanimously agreed, at the same time, that if any person should
afterwards refuse to pay the sum he mentioned, his pew should be taken from
him, & let to another who would pay it. The sum to be paid by both Con-
gregations amounts to upwards of ;^6o, this Currency.
Here the affair rests, & more cannot be done before a Missionary arrives.
I shall think myself happy if the Society approve the steps I have taken, &
if they Judge the provision sufficient for another Missionary. With their usual
Salary, I think it is ; & I do assure you I had many difficulties to struggle
with before I could bring matters to this Issue. Not to mention the unreason-
able prejudices which may be naturally expected to possess many in such a
multitude, the people are in general poor. Trade has been extremely dull &
money scarce, since the Conclusion of the late War, & the Luxury which, since
the commencement of that war, has flowed in upon us has no less contributed
to embarrass people's circumstances. A Mad Enthusiast has lately started up
near one of these Churches & did much mischief He calls himself a Quaker.
If you will recollect the Character & conduct of Hacket, in Queen Elizabeth's
Reign, or of Nailor, in the mad times of Cromwell, you may form a tolerably
exact Idea of this man, for he resembles them much, especially the latter.
Ignorant, mad, & impious as this fellow is, yet he has deluded several, has
bewildered more, & has made still more lukewarm in this affair. This circum-
stance, duly considered, should have some weight to induce the Society to send
a Missionary to that place. It would be a real act of Charity to rescue these
poor people from this man's dangerous delusions ; & nothing would contribute
more to this than to have a pious, active Clergyman fixed in the Place, The
number of Families professing themselves Members of the Church of England
in these two Congregations is not less than 1 50.
115 [1764.
You have heard, no doubt, by this time that I had an invitation lately to
settle at New York, as the present Rector, Churchwardens, & Vestry of Trini-
ty Church, in that City, probably wrote to the Society to have me fixed there
as Catechist, in the room of the Rev"* M'. Auchmuty, now Rector. The whole
of that affair I shall lay before you, in as few words as possible.
In February last, I was married to a most amiable. Excellent Woman, of
the first family in the place. The unhealthiness of this Situation impaired her
Constitution much, which was naturally delicate & tender ; & this, joined to
the bad State of Health I have had for some time past, made me think of
Soliciting the Society for a Removal to a more healthy Mission. While I was
deliberating on this, an Express brought me a Letter, on the second of August,
from the Churchwardens of Trinity Church, in New York, wrote at the re-
quest of D^ Barclay, their rector, " requesting my assistance two or three
" Sundays, as D'. Barclay was very ill & unable to officiate," and as they were
" then looking out for another Minister, they hoped their Vestry & I would
" come to an Agreement, & that I would remain among them, if inclined to
" leave this Place." This was entirely unsolicited by me, for I was not person-
ally known to any of them, nor did I ever know they wanted another Minister.
In consequence of their Request, I set out for New York the 11* of that
month ; but being unexpectedly detained a week in Philadelphia, which was in
my way, they sent one of their Vestry to hasten me. But before I could set
out, an account came of D^ Barclay's Death. Embarrassed at this Event, I
intended to return without proceeding further, as I judged the church must have
been in some confusion. However, D"'. Smith, the worthy Provost of the College
in Philadelphia, advised me to proceed, & promised to go with me. Accord-
ingly, we set out, and reached New York the 24"'. There I staid & officiated
two Sundays. During this Interval, a vestry was called. M". Auchmuty was
chose Rector. I was chose assistant to him, & catechist, provided the Society
approved of me for that office. I accepted their offer, in case the Society
would appoint me Catechist, for I would by no means leave their Service.
When this was done, I set out with D''. Smith for home, intending spedily to
return to New York, stay a few Sundays there, & afterwards continue here
till spring, & by that time the Society's Pleasure could be known.
On my return home, I found the utmost discontent among my people, at
hearing of my intended Removal. This, with the Inconveniences to the Mis-
sion which must attend my removal at this Juncture, staggered me much.
1 764.] 1 1 6
Nor could any thing have induced me to persist in my resolution but my
anxiety for a person's health, whose Life & happiness were dearer to me than
my own.
About 3 weeks after my return home, M'^^ Inglis was taken with a violent
Bilious Fever, which baffled every Effort to stop it, & on the 1 3"" of October,
put an end to her Life. This Melancholy Event made a great change in the
state of my affairs. My people renewed their Solicitations to continue among
them, as the principal cause of my going away was now removed. The
Congregation of Duck Creek declared they would lay aside all thoughts of
finishing their Church if I removed, tho' the windows are now glazed. The
Congregations of S'. Paul's & Christ church grew sullen & would do nothing.
The Enthusiast I mentioned before was elated & gained Ground. These,
with other Inconveniences to the Mission which must necessarily attend my
removal at this time, have brought me to a Resolution of continuing here some
time longer; tho' one of the Vestry from New York was with me a few days
ago, to urge my return there. I could not, with a quiet Conscience, go away
now, thinking myself in some measure answerable for the consequences that
might follow. Thro' the whole, I have acted from the best of my Judgment,
& trust the Father of Light has directed me in this last Resolution.
Af. INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New York, Dec' 10, 1764.
Rev'' Sir,
With this Letter you will receive another by the bearer, M'. Monro, in
answer to yours of the lo"" of last February, in which I have laid before you
the state of my Mission. In it I have also mentioned an Invitation I lately
had to settle in New York, & the part I acted in that affair.
After writing that letter, I thought myself bound in honour to visit this
City, & acquit myself personally from my Engagement to the Rector, Church
Wardens, & people. I have found it a difficult, disagreeable Task. It is the
117 [1765-
United, earnest request of every Rank & denomination that I would settle
here. However, I am still determined not to leave my Mission till it is better
settled than at present. To satisfy the importunate solicitations of the people
here, I have been obliged to promise that in case my Mission can be well
supplied & settled, & the Society will consent to it, I will remove here.
They are willing to stay Eighteen months or two years to have this done.
The Unanimity & earnestness with which I am asked here by all is undoubt-
edly a very great inducement to come.
It is my earnest desire, however, to continue in the Society's service. In
case, therefore, my Mission could be settled in such a manner that it would
be consistent with my duty to leave it, I heartily wish to be fixed in the late
Catechist's place. I ask not this in return to any poor services I have done
to the Society, but from an earnest desire to concur in promoting this part of
their benevolent design, & firm resolution of doing so to the utmost of my
power. 1 shall, however, acquiese in whatever the Society determine.
I must beg leave again to desire that my mission may be taken into con-
sideration, & the proposed Division made. It will be otherwise impossible
for any Missionary to attend it. I had an excellent Constitution when I went
there, & thro' fatigue it is now much impaired, in the space of five years, &
declining. Be pleased to write to me soon, & let me know what the Society's
pleasure is.
AT. INGLIS to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, July 2, 1765.
Rev° Sir,
By a Letter from the Rev"^ M'. Peters, Rector of Christ Church, in Phila-
delphia, now in England, to D"'. Smith, of Philadelphia, I have received Infor-
mation that the Society have come to a resolution to open a new mission at
Christ Church, in Mispillion, & S'. Paul's Church, near Maryland, in the lower
end of this County. This gives me inexpressible Pleasure, as it will be a great
means of promoting the Interest of our Church here, & I hope the Salvation
of many Souls.
I765-] ii8
The affairs of this Mission are much in the same state as when I wrote
last. The Congregations where the new Mission is to be opened are still
unanimous, & desirous to have the design carried into execution. Tho' in
general poor, they are willing to do what is in their power, & necessary on
their part. The wealth of the Inhabitants in this part of the world depends
in a great measure on the Fertility of the Soil, & the Lands thereabout are
for the most part sandy & barren. This occasions poverty. There will be a
subscription sufficient to purchase a Glebe for this new Mission of 150 Acres
at least. The Glebe is to be purchased when a- Missionary arrives, located as
near as it conveniently can to the Center between the two Churches, & a
Glebe House built, should there be no House on the Farm that is purchased.
The annual Salary which the two Congregations have engaged to pay will
amount to ^60, this Currency.
I hear a Missionary is appointed for Lewis Town, in Sussex County. I
am extremely glad of it. A Missionary is much wanted there. I have
preached three or four times each year, for three years past, at Cedar Creek
Church, in the upper part of that County.
The Church of Ceadar Creek being wood, very old & much decayed, I
persuaded the Congregation to set about building a new Church, They have
opened a subscription for that purpose, & have begun to prepare the materials
for a Brick Church, whose dimensions are to be 40 feet by 34, with Galleries.
The vicinity of this Church to that of Mispillion & S', Paul's, being only
8 miles from the former, would make it very convenient for one Missionary
to attend the three. Nor would this injure the Mission of Lewis Town.
Cedar Creek is 18 miles distant from that Town, The Lines between this
Province & Maryland are now run out & fixed, according to a decree in
Chancery for that purpose ; & the Division, in all probability, will take place
as soon as the Commissioners for the Division here have transmitted an
account of it to the Proprietors of both Provinces. By this Division, Sussex
will be twice as large as it is at present. One or two Maryland Churches will
be thrown into the lower end of it; so that the Missionary will have a
Mission sufficiently extensive, in case Cedar Creek were added to the new
Mission here, & the whole County better served. This, however, I submit to
the Judgment of the Society.
I wrote to you in last Nov"' & Dec'. Both my Letters went by M', Monro,
from New York, As that Gentleman got safe to England, I conclude you
119 [1765-
received my Letters. I then laid before you the state of this Mission, & also
informed you of a call I had to New York ; of my being elected by the Rector,
Churchwardens, & Vestry of Trinity Church, to be an Assistant there. I
need not now repeat again what I said then, as I make no doubt but you re-
ceived my Letters.
It gives me much uneasiness that you returned no answer to these Letters,
& it leaves me much in the Dark, too. It was, & is still, my Choice to settle
in New York. Yet, I would not think of moving but in such a manner as is
consistent with the Interest of this Mission, & the Order of our Church, I
have the highest sense of both these, and would not willingly do anything
contrary to either. When I first resolved to move, it was with a view to
preserve the Health of a person whose life was dearer to me than my own.
The Melancholly Event justified my apprehensions of the Danger that person
was in ; nor did I even then consent to move till D"', Smith engaged that the
Rev"^ M^ Murray, of Reading, would supply my place till the Society's Pleas-
ure could be known, & the Mission otherwise provided for.
However, when it pleased the Almighty, soon after, to deprive me of her
for whose sake I then wanted to move, & on finding that some inconveniences
would arise to the Mission, by moving at that time, I concluded to stay here
till the Mission was divided, & proper persons provided for both. The New
Yorkers, at the same time, insisting on keeping my place vacant till this could
be done. All this I informed you of in my last Letters, at large ; & the case
& Facts were exactly such as I represented them. The part I had to act was
often delicate & difficult. Whatever I did was from the best of my Judgment,
after consulting with my Bretheren. The Interest of our Church I ever had
in view ; & as there is nothing on Earth I desire more earnestly than to see
her flourish, I pray the father of Light to order the Event as will be most
condusive to that purpose.
In May, I received Letters from the Rector, one of the Church Wardens,
several of the vestry, & other members of the Congregation at New York.
They are still desirous that I would settle among them. It would be my
choice to do so. I have little prospect of ever recovering my spirits here to
such a degree as will enable me to discharge my duty with satisfaction to my-
self, or advantage to others, as formerly..
The state of my Health will make it necessary for me to leave this Place
for two or three weeks in the month of August, being very unhealthy &
1766.] I20
dangerous to Strangers. I intend to pay a visit then to New York. I shall
write to you from thence ; & if the affairs of that Congregation are such as
will require me to settle there, I hope the Society will not be averse to it.
Extract of a Letter from CHA^. RIDGELT, Esq., of
Dover, to The Rev' M\ INGLIS.
"Dated Dover, Oct' 31, 1766.
" Dear Sir,
" I thank you for the Information you give concerning the adding the Dutch
" Creek Church to the Apoquiniminck Mission, which I had heard nothing of
"before, except a slight intimation from M'. Andrews (this Gentleman has
" gone to England to take Holy orders & apply for the Mission of Lewes)
" who was down among us a few weeks ago, & to whom I delivered my senti-
" ments with much freedom.
" I am not a little surprized that a measure should be entered on without
" consulting that of the Dover Congregation, which I am well assured has been
" the Case. All with whom I have yet conversed about it express both surprise
" & dissatisfaction ; & if our Church affairs continue for a few years longer to
" be conducted in this imprudent manner, we shall cease to be a Church in
" this part of the world.
"You know well, sir, that the existence of this or that society depends
" solely upon the good opinion & Inclination of People in general, & if the
" people become displeased with the measures pursued, & especially if they
" think them arbitary, they will certainly separate & dissolve the Union, or
" reject the plan in general, & adopt one more agreeable to their inclination.
" One or the other will certainly happen among us, unless our people are
" treated with more respect. Not a man in either Congregation in this County
" was ever consulted about this affair, that I have heard of. It has been pro-
" posed & carried on by those who know nothing of our situation ; & to do a
" favour to one man have disobliged two large Congregations. This is play-
" ing the Game into the Hands of the Enemies of our Church, & who will
121 [1766.
" not fail to improve the opportunity. You know well, sir, that passion fre-
"quently does in an instant what prudence can never undo. I sincerely wish
" this matter may not be productive of some schism, or other bad consequence
" to the Church.
"The Division you proposed of the Churches in this County was never
" objected to, that I know of, & the reason is plain : because the principal
" persons in the County were convinced the Division was judicious, & well
" adapted to the circumstances & situation of the people. Two Clergymen,
" with a little help from home, may certainly be supported here ; & two are
" undoubtedly necessary. The greatest part of the Dissenters reside down
" the County ; & among these a Clergyman ought surely to be, or we shall
" not have a Churchman there soon.
" What can a Clergyman residing at Dover do ? Perhaps he does not see
" the greatest part of the lower Congregations once a month ; & members
" are often lost to the Church for want of his wholesome & frequent admo-
" nitions, the dissenting Teachers, in the meantime, being constantly among
" them, & very assiduous.
" It is needless to enlarge on this subject. You well know the situation of
"all our Churches ; that some people about Dover contributed handsomely to
" the Duck Creek Church, but upon the presumption that the two Churches
" were to continue under one Missionary. They had no thought of providing
" for one inhabiting another County ; & indeed it is very hard that a person
" who was at no trouble about that Church should enjoy all the advantages
" of it.
" If you think it worth while to mention this affair to the Society, I am
"convinced it would be very kindly taken by our people in general,
" I sincerely wish we had one or more Bishops in America, with such a
"limited power as you mention. It would, I believe, remedy or prevent many
" Evils, & could introduce none.
' I am, &c.,
"CHAs. RIDGELY."
1766.] 122
^f^ INGLIS to the Secretary.
New York, Dec"^ i^ 1766.
Rev° Sir,
Before I left the Mission at Dover, the Society consented to divide that
Mission, in consequence of the Representations made by the Inhabitants &
myself of its expediency. Accordingly, the Rev^ Mess"^. Giles & Wilson
were appointed to the two Missions, but their untimely Death prevented those
good effects which might be reasonably expected from this measure.
Since that time, I have been informed that it has been recommended to
the Society to join the Church at Duck Creek to the Mission of Apoquiniminck.
I thought it my Duty to mention the inconveniences that would necessarily
attend this step, in some former Letters to you ; & the knowledge I have of
the state and circumstances of Kent County, enables me to judge pretty
clearly of this point.
At first I had but a slight hint of this affair ; but when assured that it
was in agitation, I wrote to a Gentleman in Dover about it. He is a very
worthy member of our Church, & a vestryman. I informed him of what I
heard — " of a representation to the Society that Duck Creek might be joined
" to Apoquiniminck. I desired his opinion of it ; requested that he and others
" would acquiesce in the Society's determination, should they think proper to
" take this step. That in case they did so, it was purely thro' want of Mission-
" aries, of which he might be convinced by their readiness to make the former
" Division, as soon as proper persons offered to supply the Missions."
Herewith I send you his answer, so far as it relates to this affair. By it
you may plainly perceive the sense he has of this new proposal ; & you may
be assured that the sentiments of the principal people in both Congregations
are the same with his.
The more Notice should be taken of what he says, as he is one of the
most leading men in that County, & a firm. Zealous Friend to our Church. I
must beg leave to observe to you further, that the want of respect to the
Congregations, & of prudence in conducting their Affairs by him mentioned,
relates to this affair, in which they have not been consulted ; & to a former ,
proposal that a person should succeed me, when I first engaged to move
123 [1766.
to New York, who was disagreeable to them, but of which I beheve the
Society know nothing. And the persons he aims at, who shewed this disre-
spect & imprudence, are some on this side the Atlantic, not the Society, for
whom I can aver that he & the other members of our Church in that County
have as true a respect as any on this Continent. I hope you will also make
the necessary allowances for a private Letter between friend & friend, which
the writer had no intention to subject to the inspection of strangers.
I am persuaded that joining Duck Creek to Apoquiniminck will be attended
with bad consequences. It is improper in itself for many reasons. For
this in particular, that instead of relieving the Missionary of Dover from
Fatigue, it will subject him to more. The reason of this I pointed out in a
former letter. It will very much disoblige the Congregations of Dover &
Duck Creek ; not thro' any aversion to the present very worthy Missionary
of Apoquiniminck, but because of their situations and connections, they think
they ought to be joined, as the Society have already consented. In conse-
quence of that consent, the Inhabitants of Dover contributed largely towards
building the New Church at Duck Creek ; for, as they were to have the same
Missionary, & their vicinity would enable them to attend Divine Service there,
especially in good weather, they considered themselves in some measure as
one Congregation. But if Duck Creek is joined to Apoquiniminck, & under
a different Missionary, they will look on themselves as quite detached from it,
& consequently injured.
As to the two lower Churches, where the new Mission was to be opened,
they will be in no better situation by joining Duck Creek to Apoquiniminck
than they were formerly. The Inhabitants of Dover will not be satisfied with
less than the half of a Missionary's time, & indeed they are intitled to it. By
this means the two lower Churches will have a Sermon only once a month
each, & this they had In my time. Every fourth Sunday I preached at one,
& at the other on the Monday immediately after. But this is too seldom.
These are the Churches that require Sermons oftenest, & to be best attended.
But, besides, should Duck Creek be disposed of as above, all thoughts of
dividing the Mission, as formerly proposed, must be dropped. Yet this is the
only method that can be fallen on to make It flourish, nor can any Missionary
otherwise continue longer in Dover, who faithfully discharges his duty, the
Fatigue will be so great. And, further, should Duck Creek be joined to
Apoquiniminck, the subscriptions of the two Qongregations of Christ Church,
1766.] 124
at Mispillion, & S'. Paul's, near Maryland, for purchasing a Glebe & building
a Parsonage house, will be entirely lost, as well as their Bond to pay ;^20
sterling per annum to their Missionary, now in my possession, but came to
hand too late to be sent by M'. Wilson to the Society.
There are few places where a Missionary is more wanting, for many
reasons, than at these two Churches. The Congregations are large — the
largest in Pensylvania, except those of Philadelphia. I know several Missions
now supplied, where the number of Church people altogether is not so great
as either of these. The people are in general poor, yet willing at present to
contribute all they can to the support of a Missionary. They are ignorant,
& therefore may be easily seduced by the various Sectaries that abound &
are active among them.
Should the present opportunity of opening a Mission there be passed
over, I question whether another will offer. It cost me many years' labour,
& the exertion of what influence I had over the people, to bring matters into
the state they were when I left Dover. But if they have not a Missionary, as
they expected — what thro' Discouragement by the disappointment ; what by
decrease of their number, which must be considerable, as a dissenting Teacher
has been lately settled among them, besides the restless Enthusiast I have
often mentioned — I verily believe this will be their last effort.
For these & many other reasons I could produce, my humble advice is
that the Mission be continued in the same state as when I was Missionary,
until a person can be procured for Mispillion & S'. Paul's.
The subscriptions & Bond of these Congregations will still be in force, if
the affair is not dropped. And as there is a prospect that Dover will be
speedily supplied, it will make every thing easier. M"'. Magaw, the Gentle-
man mentioned in my last letter, sailed a few days since for England, to take
Orders in our Church, & apply for that Mission. I pray God to preserve him
from the disaster of his last predecessor.
You may perceive by the last paragraph of the Extract from M'. Ridgley's
Letter, that the Lay members of our Church here are not averse to Bishops,
as our Enimies would falsely represent ; but, on the contrary, are sensible of
the necessity of Bishops in America, & desire it. With his sentiments agree
those of every person of Sense & worth that I know. How much is this-
event to be desired ! Nothing else, be assured, can save our Church from
sinking in this part of the world, sooner or later.
125' [1767-
I have thus taken the liberty to represent to you, once more, the state of
Dover Mission, & the necessity, as I apprehend, that the Society should ad-
here to their first judgment & determination, when they divided it. This I
thought to be my Duty, both to the Society, to the Mission, & my own Con-
science. To this sense of Duty be pleased, sir, to impute the trouble of this
& my other Letters since I left Dover ; not to any fondness of interfering with
the affairs of others. From this latter, my former connections with these
people, the Confidence they still repose in me to represent their Case to the
Society, & repeated requests to that purpose, sufficiently exculpate me, as
well as from any Imputation of officiousness in writing to you so often,
when your silence ever since my removal seemed to forbid it. Be this as it
will, permit me to assure you that you still have my best wishes & Esteem, &
that I am, with sincerity,
Rev** Sir, your affectionate Brother & humble Serv',
CHARLES INGLIS.
M". MAGAJF to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Dover, Nov"^ 14, 1767.
Rev° Sir,
The Congregations are large, regular, & attentive. The great probability
that appears here of the Society's generous endeavours with respect to this
part of their charge being fully answered, affords me superior pleasure, and
altho' the labor of attending this Mission, in its present state, is very con-
siderable, yet I expect to perform it with facility & satisfaction, while God is
pleased to grant me health. The only circumstance that makes me in the
least uneasy is that the lower Churches can be attended but seldom, in com-
parison of the upper ones, which claim my chief attention. And it is upon
this principle alone I would wish for the appointment of another Missionary,
as soon as the venerable Society may judge it convenient ; not that I think
any great matter of my trouble.
,i77i-J 126
Cedar Creek is at present connected with the Lewes Town Mission.
With regard to the Churches of MusmiHion & S'. Paul's, near Maryland, which
I go to as often as possible (preaching at one on Sundays, and at the other
always the Monday following, & sometimes oft'ner). The people belonging
to each are numerous, though I believe generally poor. However, I have
reason to think they will still be ready to do whatever is in their power for the
promotion of Religion among them.
M''. MJGAJF to the Secretary.
Dover near Delaware, Sepf 26, 1771.
Rev° Sir,
The state of this Mission having been faithfully represented to the Vener-
able Society for many years past, & thoroughly known to them, a variety of
circumstances & occurrences which, from a new Mission, it would be abso-
lutely proper & necessary to make a particular report of, may, without impro-
priety or the least charge of neglect, I humbly presume, be here omitted.
There is still much room, undoubtedly, for the progress of Christianity
and the improvement of manners in this place ; yet I believe I may safely
inform you that, in this respect, the people are making advances, and not
declining nor going backward. A regard for Religion and the Ordinances of
the Gospel is pretty general among us. The members of our Church, who
are more numerous than those of any other Denomination in this County
appear to be well affected to its Doctrines and Discipline, and continue sted-
fast in their profession. Some of them are really eminent for their pious
attachment & well regulated Zeal. There is a peaceful, friendly intercourse
too, subsisting between us & other Religious Societies.
Having some cause to believe that my last letter, of the 27"' of April, has
not been received, I shall here repeat one thing taken notice of in it, which is
that we have lately sustained a very considerable Loss in this place, in the
Death of the Hon^'^ John Vining, Esq., Chief Justice of this Government a
127 1^773-
valuable, generous man. The reason, particularly, for my mentioning his de-
cease is that he was a member of the Society.
My attendance in Mispillion & S'. Paul's Churches continues to be as fre-
quent as can possibly consist with my Duty in the other parts of this Mission.
This obliges me to ride a great deal, and at all seasons, as I have to offici-
ate more than half of the time on other Days, besides Sundays. So that it is
no wonder if one should find Health extremely precarious, and a Constitution
much endangered, especially in an unhealthy part of the world. However, I
shall go on cheerfully, trusting in the divine protection ; and thanking the
Venerable Society most cordially for their friendship & Beneficence. I think
myself happy in being, with Gratitude &
Distinguish'd affection, yours, &c.,
SAM^- MAGAW.
M", LYON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Sussex, Nov' 22, 1773.
Rev° Sir,
In my last Letter to you I mentioned that, considering the many fatigues
of this Mission, grown double to me thro' my almost constant Indisposition
of Body from inward fevers & sometimes agues, I have been induced to
accept of a Parish on the Eastern shore of Virginia,
But my Labours were steadily, for 3 months after Easter, with this people,
& since, I have made them several visits ; Preached in the different Churches
five Sundays, & also given a number of Lectures on week days.
In particular, last Saturday, to the poor people in the Forest, who I have
often mentioned to you, as the most proper objects of the Society's Notice in
this Mission,
When I took my leave of them, they still preserved their Resolution to
use their utmost Efforts to repair an old Church, for the purposes of public
worship, as M". Tingley is daily expected to be here, and wait with them to
know the Society's Pleasure, mean while doing the duty of the Parish.
1776.] 128
Since Easter, I have baptized 129 white Infants, 16 white Adults, 6 Black
Infants, & i Black adult.
The most of these adults had been bred up in the Religion of the Quakers.
As such, 'tis truly pleasing to see them come into the Church.
When I recollect the fruits of my Labours among this people, with the
mutual Friendship that has subsisted between us, the Review is highly pleas-
ing, inclining me to indulge some tender wishes that it had been expedient,
all things considered, for me to have continued with them. But I give way to
one who, I heartily wish, may be better able to do the duty of the Parish.
M'. MAGAJF to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
Philadelphia, Oct' 7* 1776.
Honoured Sir,
The situation of Clergymen of the Church of England in America, you
well know, is at this time peculiarly delicate & hazardous, in as much as we
have the welfare of pur Holy Religion to maintain, amidst a variety of diffi-
culties, opposing Interests & Misconceptions. With regard to myself, I have
thought it my Duty, for conscience sake, & out of Gratitude to the venerable
Society, in whose employment I am engaged, to walk at the present Critical
juncture with peculiar Caution & circumspection, avoiding every Compliance
that I supposed they might disapprove of, & availing myself of such mild,
persuasive expedients as I thought would have a tendency to preserve peace
& good order among the people, whose prosperity, under their direction, I
am in some degree intrusted with. Through the whole compass of America,
I do not believe there can be any where a stronger attachment to the Parent
Country, or a more warm regard for that Religion which we jointly profess,
than among the greatest number of those to whom I have been appointed to
Minister. They ardendy wish for peace. They look for reconciliation — safe,
constitutional, permanent.
129 [t^77^-
M\ BARTON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New York, 15"" Dec"', 1778.
Rev" & Most Worthy Sir,
From the 25"* of Nov"', 1776 (which was the date of my last letter to you),
I never was happy enough till this hour of seeing the least prospect of con-
veying another. In so melancholy a condition did the Edicts of Congress &
the Penal Laws of the New Governm' place me, that I could have no com-
munication with those who would have forwarded either Letters or Intelli-
gence from me to England. Tho' I cannot complain of having received any
gross Insults or personal abuse, except from the mob, yet so intollerable were
the Penalties of these Laws, & so severe the Execution of them, that pru-
dence & my own safety directed me, at such times as were not employed in
Visitations to my people, to confine myself entirely to my own house, which I
did for two years. And however disagreeable & unhappy such a Life was to
me, I should still have submitted to it, in hopes that it might please heaven, in
due time, to relieve me, had not two Laws passed, which left me no choice
but, in a Hmited time, either to abjure my Sovereign, or depart the Country.
In this Dreadful situation, I drew up & presented a Memorial to the Assembly,
then sitting at Lancaster, in which I included the other Missionaries of Pen-
sylvania, as they could not, without transgressing the Laws, leave their own
Counties to join me. This Memorial having no effect, & being determined
never to sacrifice Principle to Interest, I was reduced to the very melancholy
necessity of separating from 8 children (six of them helpless & unprovided
for), & from my very Dear & much beloved people, whom I have served for
20 years, & to whom I feel myself attached by every tie of Gratitude &
Affection. I enclose you, with other papers, that which expels me to this
place. I arrived here about 4 weeks ago, where I found numbers of my
Bretheren in the same melancholy predicament. I know not what to do.
The Expence of living in this City is so high that nothing but a large fortune
can bear it. To quit America, without permission from the Society, I cannot
think of, as it is my wish, & shall ever be my study, to do nothing that may
1779.] I30
have even the appearance of Undutifulness or disrespect to that truly venera-
ble body. I have no Inclination to relinquish my charge. I lived happily
with my congregations. I had a pleasing prospect of being useful to them, &
I hope I may be allowed to say, without being suspected of vanity, that my
Churches flourished & encreased beyond any I knew. In the two last days
before I took my leave of them, I baptized 43 Children & 1 2 Adults. Our
parting was a melanchoUy one, tho' with some prospects of being again united.
If the present obstacles should be removed. It would be my wish & desire to
return to them ; if not, I must beg to throw myself upon the Goodness of the
Society for some provision & patronage in England.
In the meantime, I beg their Instructions & advice, which I shall ever be
happy in making the Rule of my Conduct,
Af-. BARTON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New York, Jan^ 8, 1779.
Rev° & Worthy Sir,
I now embrace this opportunity of representing the state of my Mission,
& what Duties I was able to perform for two years past. The Society are
already well acquainted that I had 3 stated Churches to attend, viz. : one at
Lancaster, where I resided, another at Pequea, in the County of Chester, 19
miles distant, & the third at Caernarvon, on the Borders of the County of
Berks, 20 miles distant. The Souls belonging to these 3 Churches amounted
to about 1,050, exclusive of a number of others who constantly joined in our
worship. Upon the Declaration of Independency, when I saw myself excluded
from the publick Duties of my Office, I visited my People, from House to
House, & by private Instruction, Exhortation, &c., endeavoured to render
myself as useful as possible. I had the pleasure to find that this method of
meeting in secret, & as it were, by stealth, having somewhat the appearance
of the persecution of the Primitive Christians, it had these good Effects it
kindled & encreased their Zeal, & united them the closer together. In this
131 [1779.
■way, therefore, I persevered with much satisfaction, till a Law passed, enacting
that "no male white Inhabitant, above the age of i8, who had not taken the
" Test, should, under the penalty of Imprisonment, go out of the County in
" which he resided." Thus circumstanced, as a great part of my Country Con-
gregations resided in different Counties, which cut off my communication with
them, & theirs with me, all 1 could do was to attend near the confines of these
Counties, where I was met by the Women (who are not subject to the Penal-
ties of the Law), with their young ones to be catechised, and their infants to
be christened. And under these melanchoUy restrictions, I have sometimes
baptized above 30 in a day. In the two last years, I baptized 347 Children,
including those of the Military, who were placed amongst us, and 23 Adults.
Eleven of the latter were baptized in one day — the day I took my departure.
Under the severest oppressions & the greatest Indignities that could be offer-
ed to the rights of Freemen, the Behaviour of the Congregations of Pequea
& Caernarvon has been such as will ever endear them to me. They have all
(4 excepted) uniformly & steadily retained their attachment to British Govern-
ment, & their affection & Loyalty to their Sovereign. Their Attention, like-
wise, to myself ought to be mentioned. When they found that I could not,
except at the Expence of Honour & conscience, continue with them any
longer, having at this time no alternative left but to " renounce the King, his
" heirs & Successors, or to depart the state," they made a generous Collection
among themselves, presented me ^50, & what arrears were due to me, &
took a house at Caernarvon for my Children, removed them from Lancaster,
with kind assurances that they should be supported till it might please God to
unite us again. With this sum, & what arose from the Sale of my furniture,
in my Pocket, I am now in this very expensive City ; cherished, however, by
some hopes that before it is quite expended, I shall be enabled either to return
to my Children & churches, or to obtain the Society's permission to quit this
ungrateful Country altogether ; and, under their benevolent patronage & in-
fluence, to soHcit some humble appointment in England, where I trust my
Fidelity in their service for near 24 years will recommend me to something
that may place me above want in my declining days.
The Clergy of America, the Missionaries in particular, have suffered
beyond example, & indeed beyond the Records of any History in this Day of
Trial. Most of them have lost their all. Many of them are now in a state of
melancholly Pilgrimage & Poverty ; & some of them have lately (from Grief
1779-] 132
& Despondency, it is said), paid the last debt of Nature. Among the latter,
I am just informed, are M"". Reading, of Apoquiniminck, M'. Ross, of New-
Castle, & M^ Craig, of Chester, besides several in the northern Colonies.
We may exclaim, Quis Furor, O Gives ! What have we done to deserve this
hard treatment from our former friends & fellow Citizens ? We have not
intermeddled with any matters inconsistent with our Callings & Functions.
We have studied to be quiet, & to give no offence to the present rulers. We
have obeyed the Laws & Government now in being, as far as our Consciences
& prior obligations would permit. We know no Crime that can be alleged
against us, except an honest avowal of our principles can be deemed such,
and for these have we suffered a persecution as cruel as the Bed of Procustes.
But nowstanding the Gloomy Cloud that now hangs over us, I cannot,
for my own part, let go the pleasing hopes that we shall return to our Charge,
& have the pleasure to see the Church of England flourish in America, with
encreasing Lustre. I am fully persuaded there is sufficient power & spirit
still in the Nation which, whenever properly exerted, will deliver us from the
Tyrany that has scourged us so long. It is easy for those who may have an
Interest in laying faults committed by themselves upon others, " to mislead by
" false representations." There are men who have ingeniously asserted that
" His Majesty has no Friends in America," than which nothing can be more
unjust or untrue. There are thousands here who " have made sacrifices to
" Britain that will astonish Posterity. Let them not be called Friends, but let
" them be called Martyrs. They have clung around the Neck of their Parent
" state with all the Tenderness & Sympathy of Filial Duty & affection," some
of whom have suffered even unto Death for their Loyalty. And there are
many thousands more, who only wait for some security to evince their Zealous
& unshaken attachments. I could say much upon this subject, but I ought to
beg your pardon for having already gone so far beyond my Line, & ventured
on the field of Politics. They are a disagreeable Topick, & shall therefore be
dismissed.
But before I conclude, permit me the liberty to mention two of my Breth-
ren, who have it not in their power to write, and whose present situation
claims the Venerable Society's Notice & pity. The first is M"". Frazer, of
Amwel, as worthy a man as lives, who has been strip'd of almost all he pos-
sessed, by the Rebel army ; and being left in circumstances too low to enable
him to remove, is obliged to submit to daily Threats & Insults, & to throw
133 [1779-
himself upon the Generosity of his people for the support of a young &
growing family.
The second is M'. F. Illing, a German, who, about 7 or 8 years ago, re-
ceived Ordination from my Lord Bishop of London, and came to America
without any appointment or allowance. He settled in the back psLrts of Pen-
sylvania, where he became very useful, by faithfully discharging the duties of
his Office, both in English & Dutch, to a large number of People, whose con-
tributions altogether, perhaps, never amounted to ;^30 sterling per annum,
and for 2 years past, would not been sufficient to keep him alive, had he not
received relief from private Benificence. It would not become me to point
out what should be done for them. I only beg leave to represent them as
good men, zealously attached to the Church of England, & the Interest of
Great Britain, & as being now in distress.
Tkf. BARTON to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New York, Ocf 25'^ 1779.
Rev° Sir,
It would give me great pleasure to be able to comply with the Society's
directions, with respect to " my occasionally visiting Huntingdon," but in the
present state of that Country it is impossible, without runing a very great
risk of being at least made a Prisoner. A very formidable & violent Banditti
from Connecticut are frequently making incursions into the eastern parts of
Long Island, & particularly to Huntingdon, where they plunder, commit rob-
beries, carry off such families & persons as are not their friends. As to "any
" other place where I can safely perform my Duty," be assured I shall be happy
in attending, & shall omit no opportunity that offers for the discharge of my
function. My ill state of health obliged me to spend last summer in Staten
Island, for the benefit of Bathing & Exercise, where I read prayers, preached
very often, & baptized several children. But many parts of that Island being
1782.] 134
likwise infested by the Enemy, I could visit only particular places. I intend
to go over there occasionally, & try to do all the good I can.
Notwithstanding the present depress'd & persecuted state of the Church
of England here, & the many discouragements which at this time present
themselves to my view, I am still sanguine enough to hope & believe that she
will one day rise triumphant & be the Glory of the new world. The Evidence
she has uniformly given of her moderation & peaceableness, & the general
conduct of her Clergy throughout the whole of this violent contest, must at
length recommend her & them to the Esteem & attention of the people, as
soon as their present passions & prejudices cool & subside ; particularly to
those who (where she has been silenced), have never heard anything from the
Pulpit but angry Invectives against the best of sovereigns ; treasonable
Declamations against the best of Governments ; Wrath, Bitterness, & perse-
cution against peaceable & innocent people. Should the Church of England,
at the conclusion of these troubles, be a little cherished by Government, as she
has greatly been so by the Society (without whose patronage she must have
been totally extinct in America), she will constantly flourish, & grow more
than ever. These hopes & this Belief furnish me with the best consolation I
now enjoy, & I will cherish them till I die.
M\ TINGLT to the Secretary.
(EXTRACT.)
New York, March 5* 1782.
Reverend Sir,
During the whole of the late scene of Confusion (I may say present, tho'
with us, it is in a much less distressing degree than formerly), the members of
the Church in my Mission have proved loyal, excepting a few families, who, tho*^
they always professed themselves Churchmen, have proved that their principles
& professions were not unisons; or, in other words (if not too Ironical), that
they are Churchmen by profession, but Presbyterians by trade, i. e., no friends-
135 [1782.
to Church & state, because their ambitious views could not be gratified in
either. And tho' those of this stamp joined with the hot-brained Zealots
among the Presbyterians who have almost all, without exception, proved fiery
advocates for independency, I have, nevertheless (under the protection of a
never-failing God), amidst threats & ill treatment, persevered in the discharge
of my Duty. Even in the greatest fury of the Political storm, the Churches
were kept open, & I have preached. After the Declaration of Independency,
I could not, with safety either to myself, family, or hearers, be explicit in the
prayers for the King (whom God preserve & crown with success) ; & not
having it in my power to consult any of my Elder Bretheren, in whose princi-
ples I could confide or be influenced by (as most of those in Philadelphia
were, to my astonishment, too Zealous in promoting the contrary to what ap-
pears to me must necessarily be interwoven with the Heart, Soul, & Mind of a
Churchman- — may the cloak of Charity hide it from future ages ! and as their
tryals have probably been greater than mine, in the Spirit of tenderness &
compassion, I would say, tell it not in Gath), I was therefore left to my own
prudence, & the conduct of Heaven, by which I believe I was directed to
adopt the following words in prayer (for they occurred to me at that trying
moment), well knowing that if I was prevented from preaching, the flock
would unavoidably be scattered. Instead, therefore, of saying, as we are di-
rected, O Lord, save the King, I said, O Lord, save those whom thou hast
made it our especial Duty to pray for. We were surrounded by armed men,
who had thrown out severe threats. In so critical a situation, what other
could I have done ? as I was determined, by all possible prudential means, to
avoid the distress of being precluded from the use of the Churches ; well
knowing that if they were once shut against us, we could not recover them,
but under the most humiliating & dishonorable Condescensions.
In the Litany, instead of these words, "Thy Servant, George, our most
" Gracious King & Governor," I said, " those whom Thou hast set in authority
" over us, & grant that, under their administration, we may lead quiet & peace-
" able Lives, in all godliness & honesty." In which Words I included all other
Petitions to that for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. In this way I have perse-
vered ever since the Society last heard from me, to the comfort of all the
Sincere & upright who praise God, that, tho' we cannot consistent with safety
be so explicit in those parts of the Service already mentioned, as we could
wish, can at the same time appeal to the Great Searcher of hearts for the
1782.J 136
integrity of our meaning. Since my coming here, I have been informed that,
upon request of advice from London, in this Case, from several Missionaries
in these parts, directions have been received that my manner nearly accords
with ; with this difference, that only the Petition for Magistrates may prudently
be used, with omission of those I have used ; but as I have so long continued
it, upon advice (as our meaning is the same), lest it should occasion any Evil
surmises from our Enemies, who will be too apt to suspect the worst, upon
my return, as I have been thought too much their Enemy to be trusted in
this City, conclude that the same prudential necessity urges a continuance of
the same Words, till, by degrees, I can safely adopt the above manner, with
my Bretheren, without the lines in this vicinity.
I flatter myself that, as my sincere aim is to promote the Societie's pious
design, the Glory of God & the Good of Mankind, that what I have done in
so extraordinary a time of difficulty and distress, will not fail of their appro-
bation. I have the satisfaction of frequently hearing the most loyal and pious
among us declare that my Conduct, in so ' dangerous an Emergency, has,
under the Blessing of Heaven, greatly and visibly contributed to the Comfort
and Establishment of the Members (with the few Exceptions above mentioned)
of my Mission, in their Loyalty, I am confident it will prove undeniably true
that those who are Churchmen from principle, and consequently admire and
adhere to its constitution, and devoutly attend the due administration of its
sacred offices, will ever be found the best friends to that of the state, with
which it is so intimately connected, and to which they may at all times look,
both for support and protection.
My difficulties and sufferings have been many and great. A particular
detail of them would be tedious to the Society (as they have received many
of a similar nature from others), and extremely painful in the recollection to
myself I shall, therefore, in enumerating, be as brief as possible. I was
plundered of many Comforts, sent by my Relations from this City, at a time
when they were not to be purchased in that part of the Country where I re-
side. What added weight to the Affliction was the Charge of an ancient
mother, a very sickly wife, and two small Children, to whom the things sent
would have been particularly refreshing; and for whose sakes I earnestly re-
quested. After being vilely treated, by sending Soldiers to surround & search
my House for Letters respecting their state, with cursing, and swearing I
should be hung on one of the highest Trees near the house, they cruelly and
137 [1782.
despightfully refused the smallest of the necessaries sent, even tho' my weak
and dying wife begged a small part of them as a medicine.
My heart feels much more than I can describe, at the painful remem-
brance ; and my Consolation, for better than three years past, has been in the
hopeful persuasion that both my wife and mother have entered into that
peaceful Kingdom where the wicked ever cease from troubling, and the weary
enjoy everlasting rest.
After their Death, I was almost daily employed in travelling and preach-
ing about the County which bounds my Mission, and sometimes, by special
invitation, in the nearest parts of Maryland ; and to the utmost of my power,
confirming and strengthening the Bretheren. In doing of which, I have
travelled at least three thousand miles a year. Notwithstanding my frequent
preaching, what with, the well known backwardness of People in general in
this Country, in contributing, according to their ability, for the decent support
of Ministers ; The necessity of the times, which pleads greatly in their Excuse
for non-compliance in full with the Society's Conditions to their Missionaries,
with the rapid depreciation of the paper Currency, the only money in circula-
tion till within a year past. I have been so distressed in my Circumstances
as almost, without an exagerating figure, to say I had scarce bread to eat or
raiment to put on, especially the latter, as they were not to be purchased but
at a much higher price than I could spare money from the necessities of my
family, to procure for myself. I bless God for the Ease and tranquility of
mind I once more experience in the Assurance of redress from my long
endured Griefs, from the Society's Bounty, which I shall now draw for. The
Expectation of receiving it, whenever I should get here, has been the chief
support of my spirits, under the mortifying reflection that I have been con-
strained to be under Obligations to several persons in my Mission, who, tho'
they are my real Friends, has been great cause of uneasiness to me. In this
hope, I enjoy unspeakable Consolation.
f'rom what I have already offered, the Society will not be surprised at not
hearing from me in the long space of six years, as I could not obtain permis-
sion to travel to this City ; which will be still less so, when I inform them that
I i?ave even been refused the small satisfaction of seeing Prisoners brought
into the County where I reside, who were acquainted with my relations in this
City. Two years ago, they plotted against and designed to injure me, when
it was reported, and they expected, I was come to this City. I both desired
1782.] 138
and designed it, provided I could do it with safety, but I was disappointed.
The good providence of my God watched over me, and again disappointed
their malicious designs. The same tender Goodness has, when I almost de-
spaired of soon seeing my native place, unexpectedly raised up a Friend, who
procured a permit for me to come hither and return, unmolested from all
persons whatsoever, as far as his authority extends, from Mr. John Dickinson,
lately chosen Governor of that part of Pensylvania formerly distinguished by
the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, But now called the Delaware State.
As soon as I received it I immediately set off, tho' this Season the month
of February has proved very inclement weather, more so than has been
known for years past, ^nd the Roads extremely bad ; after nine days' tiresome
journey I reached Elizabeth Town, and two days after, this City, to my own
unutterable pleasure, the surprise and joy of my few surviving relations, and
remaining Loyal Friends and Citizens. I have been here sixteen days, in
which time I have procured, what I have long greatly wanted — suitable Cloth-
ing; and, in a few days more, purpose to return to my Mission and family,
where I am determined to continue thro' divine aid in the discharge of my
Duty, rendered more easy and desirable than some years past, as that violence
of Spirit and consequent Conduct, which tob long and destructively prevailed,
has, in some measure, subsided. Either from a conviction of its unreasonable-
ness in the perpetrators, or the more than ordinary effusion of overpowering
restraining Grace ; so that, for better than a year past, we have enjoyed a
tolerable degree of Quiet, and the Churches duly attended.
As myself and family have, & some of them still do, greatly suffer from
the ague and fever, to which the Inhabitants of Sussex County is but too sub-
ject in the fall of the year, should the tender mercy of our God restore our
former happy days, I would beg the favor of the Society, If any of their mis-
sions near New York, my native, healthful Air, be vacant. To inform me of it,
with the indulgence of Leave to remove thither.
As I was apprehensive that some evil-minded persons, upon hearing of my
having permission to come here, might endeavour to prevent it, I came away
with so much Celerity as not to have time to consult the Registers of the dif-
ferent Churches in the Mission, so that it is not at present in my power to be
as particular in my account as the Society requires in their abstract. With
regard to Baptizms, there have been several thousand since I wrote last
among which were many Blacks, from sixty years to two months old.
139 [1782.
This account may seem extraordinary to those who are unacquainted with
the situation of that part of the country ; not one Clergyman of the Church
that ofificiated for a hundred miles in length except myself. For which rea-
son, whenever I preached for the purpose of giving an opportunity to parents
to present their little ones to the Lord, it will not be thought strange that I
have baptized from 30, 40, to 50 at one time.
Those who for some time have been deprived of the means of Grace near
them, have rode many miles and attended with great seriousness and devo-
tion, blessing and praising God for the opportunity of again worshiping him
agreeable to the Order of their own Church, crowding with eager delight to
offer their heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord, to him in the Laver of
regeneration.
I have, moreover, had to encounter for three years past with the enthusi-
astic notions of Ignorant methodists and anabaptists, some of whose absurdi-
ties has as direct a tendency to overturn all order and decency in the
Church, as the base principles and practices of those who call themselves
Whigs (a soft Term for rebels) have in the state.
From these, with every other evil both civil and Religious, who can with-
hold a commiserating tear ; while, according to their different stations in Life,
they diligently exert those abilities they are endued with, to Glorify the Grand
source of truth, peace, and order, in promoting the real good of their fellow
men, among whom we discover so many deplorably deluded unhappy Creat-
ures, who can forbear frequently imploring with renewed Ardour; How Long,
O Lord ! Holy and True, ere the mists of Error In Religion, and' the Fog of
Political darkness and delusion shall be entirely done away! That it may be
speedy, must be the fervent wish and prayer of every sincere Christian. That
God would give Peace in our time, that we may rejoice in the felicity of his
Chosen ; once more feel the Salutary effects of Order and good Governm'
both in Church and State, to our at present unhappy Country, cannot fail of
being the daily devout prayer of every unfeigned member of our truly Apos-
tolic Church, and tho' it may be feebler, yet in none more sincere than, rev''
Sir,
The Societies & your most obedient & very
humble servant,
SAMUEL TINGLEY. ,
NOTES
p. 1.
Notices of the Rev. Thomas Crawford are to be found in the P. E. Hist. Soc. Coll., i., 63,
Anderson's Colonial Church, iii., 262, 263, 580; and in Dorr's Christ Church, Phila., 396,
418, 422-424.
P-5-
The Rev. George Ross is referred to again and again in the Pennsylvania and Maryland
Papers, as well as in this volume. Vide also Whitefield's Works, viii., 48 j P. E. Hist. Soc.
Coll., i., 42, 62, 63, 96; Dorr's Christ Church, 44, 51, 396, 414, 424-6; Anderson's Col. Ch.,
iii., 259, 260; Hawkins' Missions of the Ch. of Eng., no, 119; the Abstracts of the Ven. S.
P. G. Society, etc., etc.
The Rev. Dr. Evan Evans receives frequent notice in the Pennsylvania and Maryland
Papers of this series.
P. 7.
For detailed references to the Rev. Henry Nichols, vide the Penna. and Maryland Papers ;
the P. E. Hist. Soc. Coll., 55, 56, 60-63; Hawkins' Missions, 12, 108, in, 119; Sprague's
Annals, 54; Dorr's Christ Church, 401, 413, 414 J Anderson's Col. Ch., iii., 258-260, etc.
The Rev. William Black went to Virginia. Fide Virginia Papers ; Meade's Old Churches, etc.,
i., 264, 265 ; ii., 393.
Pp. 7, 8.
The Rev. Thomas Jenkins died July 30th of the following year. Vide Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 13-
The Rev. Andrew Rudman died the following month, on Sept. 1 7th, 1 708. Notices of him
are found in Dr. Clay's Annals of the Swedes, 87; Dorr's Christ Church, 36, 396, 408, 412,
etc. The Rev. John Clubb referred to had been school-master in Philadelphia. He died Dec,
1 7 1 4. Vide Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 27.
The Rev. Robert Sinclare returned to England in 171 2. Vide Pennsylvania Papers.
142
p. 3°-
The Rev. Jacob Henderson, afterwards Commissary of Maryland, was one of the most
prominent of the early clergy. Full notices of his services appear in the Pennsylvania and
Maryland Papers, etc.
P. 32.
The Rev. Ericus Biorck, a Swedish convert, signed an address for the appointment of a
Suffragan Bishop in 1705, and is referred to in the Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 34.
The Rev. Alexander Addams, of Somerset, is referred to. Vide the Maryland Papers of
this series.
P-3S.
Further letters and notices of the Rev. William Becket will be found in the Pennsylvania
Papers of this series.
P- 37-
The Rev. Andreas Hesselius was a Swedish missionary officiating in the vacant churches in
Pennsylvania and Delaware. Vide Annals of the Swedes, and Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 49-
Dr. Welton's brief residence in Philadelphia is described at length in the correspondence
of the time, in the Pennsylvania Papers. Vide also Hawks' s " Efforts to Obtain the Episcopate
before the Revolution," in the first volume of the Prot. Epis. Hist. Soc. Collections, and Dr.
Geo. Morgan Hill's History of the Church in Burlington, N. J.
P. SI-
The Rev. Alexander Campbell is referred to in the Pennsylvania Papers of this series.
P. 55-
The Rev. Daniel Dwight was graduated at Yale College in 1721, and died in 1748. His
ministry was spent in South Carolina. Vide Dalcho's Hist, of the Ch. in South Carolina, 268,
269, 306, 433; Carroll's Hist. Collections, So. Carolina, ii., 545, etc.
P. 66.
The Rev. Richard Backhouse, of Chester, is the clergyman referred to. Vide the Pennsyl-
vania Papers.
P. 68.
For further reference to the Rev. Robert Weyman and the Rev. Commissary Archibald
Cummings, vide the Pennsylvania Papers.
'43
P. 70.
The Rev. George Frazer is referred to in Meade's Old Churches, etc., i., 192, 448; and
also in the Virginia Papers.
P. 71.
The Rev. Walter Racket spent his missionary life in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Vide
th volumes of this series for Pennsylvania and Maryland.
P.73-
The Rev. William Lindsay arrived at Philadelphia, May 28th, 1735. The Pennsylvania
Papers refer to his subsequent ministry.
P. 76.
The Rev. William Curry received Holy Orders and was appointed to a cure in Pennsylvania.
P. 77.
The Rev. Arthur Usher officiated in Delaware for twelve years.
P. 80.
The Rev. Edward Vaughan, of New Jersey, was one of the most influential and excellent
of the clergy of his time. Vide Dr. Clark's Hist, of St. John's Church, Elizabeth, 34-58 ;
Sprague's Annals, 137, 138; the yearly Abstracts of the Ven. Society; the Pennsylvania Papers,
and the (unpublished) New Jersey volume of this series.
P. 82.
The Rev. Mr. Gordon referred to was probably the Rev. John Gordon, subsequently
" D.D." Vide Allen's Hist. Notices of St. Ann's Parish, 64-66, etc.
The Rev. Philip Reading subsequently removed to Maryland, and is marked as "dead " in
the list of clergy among the General Convention MSB. under date of 1777.
P. 89.
The Rev. Richard Locke was a missionary in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Of the Rev.
Thomas Bluet we shall find notices in subsequent pages. Nothing further is known of Mr,
Francis Poulteney.
144
P-93-
The Rev. Theophilus Morris had been a missionary in Connecticut. Vide Beardsley's
History of the Connecticut Ch.
For notices of Commissary Jenney, vide the Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 96.
For further notices of the Rev. Hugh Neil, vide the Maryland Papers.
P. lOI.
Few pages of this volume bring together more noteworthy names than this. The Rev.
Charles Inglis, afterward Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia; the Rev. William Maclenachen,
whose history, as is the case with that of the celebrated Dr. William Smith, would require a
volume for fitting illustration; and the Rev. William Thompson, afterwards D.D., and an
efficient missionary in Pennsylvania, were all men of note and influence in the ante-revolution-
ary Church.
P. 105.
The Rev. .^neas Ross was a worthy and acceptable clergyman whose name will ever be
identified with the history of the Church in Delaware.
P. no.
For notices of the life of the Rev. Aaron Cleveland, vide Sprague's Annals, 164-167.
P.. III. ' '
"One Mr. Harris" was probably the Rev. John Harris, of Maryland, a subscriber to
President Davies' Sermons.
The Rev. Jacob Duch6 became one of the most noted of the American clergy. Vide the
Pennsylvania Papers and countless other authorities.
P. 115-
The Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, D.D., and the Rev. Henry Barclay, D.D., will receive
fitting mention in connection with the (unpublished) New York volume of this series.
P. 117.
For reference to the Rev. Richard Peters, D.D., vide the Pennsylvania Papers.
P. 122.
The Rev. Samuel Giles and the Rev. Hugh Wilson (nepnew of the Rev. Hugh Neil) were
lost at sea, April 5th, 1766, on their return from England, whither they had gone for Holy
Orders. Vide Hawkins' Missions of the Church of England, 125, 300, 325.
145
P. 124.
The Rev. Samuel Magaw, afterwards D.D., became a leading clergyman in Pennsylvania.
P. 127.
The Rev, James Lyon and the Rev. Samuel Tingley are more fully referred to in the vol-
umes of this series relating respectively to New York and Pennsylvania.
P. 130.
The name of the Rev. Thomas Barton deserves remembrance for faithful and most arduous
missionary work. Vide the Pennsylvaniaa Papers, Sprague's Annals, Dorr's Christ Church,
Sabine's Loyalists, etc., etc.
P. 132-
Notice of the Rev. George Craig will be found in the Pennsylvania Papers.
P- 133-
The Rev. Fraugott Fred. Illing was licensed to Juniata, Penn., in 1772. But little is known
of him save this casual reference.
THE END.
INDEX.
Adams, Rev. James, 34.
Adult Baptisms, i, 3, 35, 40.
AUentown, N. J.. 80.
Altar Cloaths at New Castle, 47.
Alricks, Wessel, 45.
Amboy in East Jersey. Assembly at, 19, 20.
" Amen.'' The word, suppressed, 99.,
Amwell, 81, 82, 132, and Hopewell, 74.
Anabaptist meeting in Newcastle, 5, 11, 46.
Anabaptists, 139.
Auchmuty, Rev. Dr. Samuel, 115.
Appoquiraminck, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 20, 41, 42, 51, 52,
74, 8,1, 82, 88, 89, 90, gi, 122, 123, 132.
Ashton, Robert, 45.
Askue, James, 45.
Assembly sitting at Amboy, 19, 20.
Backhouse, Rev. Richard, 74 ; Brother of, referred
to, 66.
Baldridge, Adam, 45.
Baltimore, Lord, 49, 50,
Banditti from Connecticut. Incursions of, 133.
Baptisms, i, 3, 17, 27. 28, 33, 34, 35. 4°. 54, 55. 57. 69.
71, 72, 79; of Dissenters' children, 88; of
adults, 90 ; of negroes, 91 ; ot a Quaker, 92 ; of
twenty-five children, 102 ; referred to, at Dover,
97 ; at Sussex, 98, 128, 130, 131 ; several thou-
sand of, 138, 139.
Barclay, Rev. Dr. Henry, 115.
Barton, Rev. Thomas. Letter of, 129, 130, 130-133.
133, 134-
" Black Gowns" at a Convention, 101.
Bearcroft, Rev. Dr., 93, 107.
Becket, Rev. William. Letters of, 35-37, 39, 4°, 49.
50, 54, 55 ; referred to, 51 ; letters of, 57, 58 ;
petition of, 58-60; referred to, 61 ; letters of, 63,
64, 67, 68, 76, 83, 84, 85, 86.
Beveridge, Bp., 41, 54.
Biork, Rev. Ericus. Character of, 9 ; petition of, 31.
Bishops' Courts and Tythes. Fear of, 77.
Bishops. Plan for the support of, 49, 50 ; churches
languishing without, lOi ; wish of a Layman
for, 121, 124.
Black, Rev. William, referred to, 7, 8, 19.
Bluett, Rev. Thomas, 89 ; letter of, 91, 92 ; ill con-
duct of, 93, 94, 95.
Boarding School in Philadelphia, 9.
Bohemia Landing, Md., 8.
Boise, " One," 38.
Booth, Michael, 13.
Boundary Line between Maryland and Pennsyl-
vania, 107.
Bristol. Petition of vestry of, 78; referred to, 79, 80,
81, 82, 83.
Brook, Collector, 33.
Brookhaven, Long Island, 52, 56.
Bucks Co., 80.
Burlington, N. J., 78, 80, 81.
Caernarvon. Church at, 130, 131.
Carpenter, Joshua, 45.
Cambridge Concordance, 39.
Campbell, Rev. Alexander, referred to, 51, 53, 66»
78, 79, 80, 81 ; letter of, 56, 57.
Canterbury, Archbishop of, address of Inhabitants
of Kent Co. to the, 50-52.
Cantwell, Capt., 9.
Cantwell, Richard, 45.
Catechism, Church. Youth instructed in the, 55,66.
Catechising, 11, 17, 41, 59.
Catechisms, received, 39 ; want of, 64.
Catechist. Application for, 55.
Catechumens. Number of, 91.
Cedar Creek. Church at, 118, 126.
148
Chancel rail, referred to, 79.
Changes in the Liturgy, 135.
Chester (Upland), 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 25 ; School at,
66.
Chichester. Convention at, 40.
Christian Knowledge Society, 51.
Church Bells, 44, 87, 102, 108.
Church Books, 12.
Churchings, 69.
Church of England, depressed and persecuted, 134.
Church Porch. Negroes instructed at the, 18.
Church School at Chester, 66.
Church Steeple, referred to, 87.
Clayton, John, Churchwarden, 94.
Clergy of the Church of England, situation of, in
1776, 128 ; sufferings of, 131, 132, 136, 137.
Clerk, want of a, 99.
Cleveland, Rev. Aaron, no, in.
Clubb, Rev. John, schoolmaster in Philadelphia, 13,
14, 20.
Communicants. Increase of, 43, 75.
Communion Plate, 2g, 47.
Communion Table Cloth at Newcastle, 7.
Concord, Chester Co., 74.
Congress. Edicts of, 129.
Convention of the Clergy at New Castle, 40, 49.
Conventions of the Clergy at Philadelphia, lOi, 104,
105.
Convention of the Society's Missionaries, 40.
Coults, Hercules, 45.
Coults, James, 7, 45.
Cox, Col., 74.
Cranberry, N. J., 80.
Crawford, Rev. Thomas. Letters from, i, 2, 3, 4,
16-19 ; referred to, 38.
Cummings, Rev. Archibald. Letter to, 61-63 ; re-
ferred to, 68, 74.
Curry, Rev. William, goes over for Orders, 76.
Cushion, Pulpit, 108.
Declaration of Independence, 130, 138.
Dehayer, Roeloff, 45.
Delaware River shut up in Winter, 39.
Dickinson, Gov. John, 138.
Dissenters' Meeting Houses at New Castle, 46.
Dissenters. Prejudices of, 42 ; zeal of, 43 ; conduct
of towards slaves, 48.
Don Pedro. Privateers fitted out by, 91, 92.
Dover. Church services at, 70, 71, 73 ; neglect of,
96 ; petition of Churchwardens of, 92-94, 95, 96.
Duche, Rev. Jacob, in.
Duck Creek. St. Peter's Church, 89, 90, 96, 107,
log, III, 120, 121, 122, 123.
Dutch Church. The first built at New Castle, 44.
Dwight, Rev. Daniel, 56, 57.
Dyer, Mr., 9.
Dykes, Andrew, 45.
Easter Monday, 52.
Easter Sacrament, 75.
Elections, annual, pernicious consequences of, 102,
103.
Emmanuel Church, New Castle, 42, 44-48.
Empson, Cornelius, 45.
Enthusiast. An, 114, 124.
Epidemic sickness at Newcastle, 6.
Evans, Col., Gov. of Pennsylvania, 8, 10.
Evans, Rev. Dr., referred to, 5, 13, 31; letters of, 19-
21, 23, 24.
Extempore Preaching, 41, 42.
Finch, Margaret, 45.
Finney, William, signs address to Archbishop of
Canterbury, 52.
Fogg's, Manor, 105.
Frazer, Rev. George. Letters of, 70, 71, 73.
Free Thinkers busy, 64.
French, John, 30, 45.
French, Robert, 45.
Frequent Communion, 43.
Garland, Silvester, 45.
Genest, William. Vestryman, 26.
Gibson, Bp. Letters of, 54, 58.
Giles, Rev. Samuel. Death of, 122.
Glebe House at Bristol, 81.
God-fathers. Difficulty of securing, i, 3.
Gooking, Col. Charles, 47.
Gordon, Major, 49.
Gordon, Rev. Mr., 82.
Grafton, Richal^d, 45.
Graham, Hugh, 45.
Gray, Thomas, 45.
Guest, John, 45.
Hacket, conduct of, 115.
Hacket, Rev. Walter. Death of, 71, 72.
Halliwell, Richard, Vestryman, 7, 26, 44, 45 ; be-
quest of, 47.
Harris, Rev. Matthew, no, in.
Harper, William, 45.
Healey, Mr., g.
149
Henderson, Rev. Jacob, referred to, 30, 38; letter
of, 31.
Hesselius, Rev. Samuel, 37.
Hill, Capt. Sermon at house of, 4.
Hodges, Mr., Treasurer, 13.
Hodges, Mr., 5.
Holt, Chief Justice R. Letter from, log.
Holy Communion. Frequenters of the, 6,
Holy-days. Observance of, 59, 66 ; followers of
Whitefield come to Church on, 83 ; services on,
86.
Hopewell, 74.
Houston, William, 45.
Humphreys, Rev. John, 41.
Huntington, L. I., 133.
Illing, Rev. Fraugott Fred, 133.
Independent Teacher at Dover, 97.
Indians, 42.
Infidelity. Spread of, 64.
Inglis, Mrs., 115, 116, iig.
Inglis, Rev. Charles. Letter of, loi, 102, 103, 104,
106, 107, III, 112, 113-116, 116, 117-120, 122-125;
letter to, 120, 121.
Intermittent Fever Epidemic, 89.
" Inventions of men in the Worship of God," 42.
Irish,- North Country, 69, 70.
Ireland, North of. Dissenters from, 37.
Jenkins, Rev. Thomas, referred to, 7 ; letter of, 8-
12 ; referred to, 14, 15, 20, 21, 24.
Jenney, Rev. Commissary Robert, 8g, 93, loi.
Jennings, John and Edward. Vestrymen, 26, 48.
Jones, E., signs address, 63.
Justices' Bench. Language of, 64.
Keeble, Mr., 25.
Keith, Col. William, 32, 33 ; Sir William, 44 ; action
of respecting marriage licenses, 49.
Kent County. Petition of Churchmen in, to the
Society, 38 ; to the Archbishop, 50-52 ; referred
to, 43 ; St. John's Parish in, 61-63.
King's, Bishop, Tracts, 38.
Lancaster, Assembly at, 129 ; Church at, 130.
Latin, Teaching of, 6.
Lay Reading, 58.
Lay Reader in Lewis Town, 33.
Lecturer's Place at Philadelphia, 23.
Leffever Hypolitus, 45.
Lewis's Exposition of the Catechism, 66, 97.
Lewes, Church at, to be finished, 96 ; Whitefield at,
83, 84.
Library at Emmanuel Church, Newcastle, 47, 48.
Library, Missionary's, 12.
Lilliston, Rev. John, 23.
Lindsay, Rev. William, petition of, 73-75. Letter
of, 77 ; referred to, 78 ; letter of, 79-83.
Litany, Changes in the, 135.
Litany day, 38.
Locke, Rev, Richard, 89.
Locker, Nicholas, 45.
London, Bishop of, referred to, 2, 4, 10, 18, 24, 29,
32, 35; letter to, 27, 44; referred to, 50, 57, 64, 97.
London Grove, or Tract, Penna., Services at, 69, 70,
72, 74, 82.
London, New, Chester Co., 104.
Lord Baltimore, 49, 50.
Lottery for Church at New London, 104.
Lovelace, Lord, 19, 20.
Lowman, Samuel, vestryman, 26, 30, 45.
Lowther, George, 45.
Lutheran Congregation at New Castle, 46.
Lyon, Rev. John. Letter of, 127, 128.
Macclannaghan, Rev. William, loi, 104.
Magaw, Rev. Samuel, 124 ; letters of, 125, 126, 127,
128.
Marriage Licenses, 49.
Memorial /Of Loyal Clergy, 129.
Methodism, Wild notions of, 89.
Methodists, 139.
Millar, Mr., of London, 72.
Miller, James, 45.
Minister's Benefices, 3.
Missionaries. Plan for the maintenance of, 50.
Monmouth, N. J., Co., 80.
Montgomery, Robert, Services at house of, 69, 70.
Moore, John, 45.
Morris, Col., 81.
Monro, Mr., u6, 117.
Morris, Rev. Theophilus. Death of, 93.
Murrain among the cattle, 3.
Murray, Rev. Alexander, 119.
Mushmillion, or Mispillion. Christ Church, at, 107,
108, 109, 112, 113, n6, 117, 118, 124, 126, 127.
Nailor. Conduct of, 115.
Negroes. Instruction of, 18, 97 ; conduct of Dis-
senters to, 48 ; Baptism of, 54, 57, 58 ; Catechist
to, no, 138.
Neil, Rev. Hugh. Letters of, 96, 97, 98.
ISO
Newark, N. J., 80.
Newcastle. Vestry of, to the Society, 25, 26; peti-
tion of Vestry of, 30, 31 ; church at, environed
with Dissenters, 37, 38 ; County of, 41, 42, 43 ;
history of the Church at, 43-48 ; city of, 44.
New England Converts, 56.
New Lights, 84 ; at Dover, 97.
Newport, Church at, 105.
Nichols, Henry, 45.
Nichols, Rev. Henry, referred to, 7, 8, 14, 15, i6, 20,
21, 24.
Nicholson, Col., 23 (see below).
Nicholson, Gov. Francis, subscriber to Newcastle
church, 45.
Nixon, Thomas, churchwarden, 94, 95.
Non Juror (Rev. Dr. Welton), at Philadelphia, 49.
Norton Thomas, 45.
Orphan House in Georgia, 82.
Oxford, Pa., 13, 14, 20.
Pacing Horses, 46.
Papists at Dover, 97.
Pequa, Chester Co., 130, 131.
Penn, William. Heirs of, 49, 51.
Peters, Rev. Richard, 117.
Pew rentals, 114.
Philadelphia, " the greatest sink of Quakerism and
infidelity in America," 58.
Pidgeon, Joseph, 45.
Pleurisy, 91, 92, 94.
Poulteney, Rev. Francis, 89, go.
Prayer Days. Observance of, 66.
Prayer Books. Want of, 64 ; received, 89.
Presbyterians. Minister of the, in Sussex Co., re-
ferred to, 2, 4, 9 ; better reconciled, 7 ; meeting
in Newcastle, 5, 11; teachers in Kent Co., 17,
35; dispute between the Church and, 34; people
gone over to the, 37 ; gaining ground in New
Castle, 44, 46 ; increase of, 62 ; Meeting House
at Dover, 97 ; conduct of, 134.
Public Fast, 91.
Pulpit, 47.
Pulpit Cloth, at Newcastle, 7, 102.
Psalms, New Version of, want of, 64.
Quakerism and Infidelity, 58.
Quakerism. Powerful, 67.
Quakers. Baptism of, i, 2, 3, 20, 54, 73, 81, 128 ;
referred to, 10, 11, 17, 29, 39,40,46,48,51,61,
62, 91-92, 97.
Quarry, Col. Robert, 10, 24, 45.
Queen's Bounty, 13.
Read, William, 45 ; character of, 75.
Reading, Rev. Philip. Letters of, 88-90, 90, gi;
referred to, 105 ; death of, 132.
Reformation of Manners. Society for, 2, 18.
Responses in the Psalter, 17.
Reynolds, Richard, 45,
Richards, Capt., 39, 40.
Ridgely, Charles, Esq. Letter from, 120, 121; re-
ferred to, 124.
Roads in Delaware, 46.
Robinson, James, 66.
Roch, George, 45.
Rodeney, William, signs address to Archbishop of
Canterbury, 52, 63.
Roman Catholics, 91.
Ross, Rev. .iEneas. Letters from, 105, 106, no, 132.
Ross, Rev. George. Letters of, 5, 6, 7 ; referred to,
9, 20, 23, 24, 28, 31; letters of, 14-16, 21, 22;
journal of, 32-35 ; letters of, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43 ;
history of the Church at New Castle, by, 43-48 ;
referred to, 53 ; letter of, 55 ; referred to, 56, 6i,
68 ; letters of, 64-67, 68-70, 71, 72, 84, 85, 86, 87,
99, 100; referred to, no.
Rudman, Rev. Andrew. Letters of, 13, 14 ; death
of, 20 ; referred to, 25, 45.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 17, 27, 28, 29, 54,
55, 59. 66. 94-95-
Sacraments. Mean opinion of, 79.
Schoolmaster. Petition lor a, 30 ; at Newcastle, 55.
School Masters. Condition of, 47.
School at Philadelphia, 13, 14, 20, 23, 26.
Schools at New Castle, 47.
Scotch-Irish in Newcastle, 37.
Sewell, Rev. Richard (of Maryland), 7, 51.
Sharp, Mr., 57.
Silbe, Samuel, 45.
Simson, Rev. John, 73.
Sinclair, Rev. Robert. Letters from, 27-29.
Slaves. Baptism of, 48.
Smith, Rev. Dr. William, loi; Observations of, no,
III; referred to, 115, 117.
Society for the Reformation of Manners, 2, 18.
Sponsors. Aversion to becoming, 79.
Staten Island, 133.
Staples, John, 45.
St. Barnabas' Day. Service on, 6g.
St. George's Chapel, 57, 8g.
151
St. George's Church, Sussex, log, no, in, 112, 113.
St. James's, Newcastle, 42, 52, 53, 56, 105.
St. John Baptist's Church, Sussex Co. Opening of,
54-
St. John's Parish, Kent Co. Letter from inhabitants
of, 61-63.
St. Matthew's Church, Sussex, 98, 109, no, in, 112,
"3.
St. Paul's Church, Kent, loS, 109, 112, 113-116, 117,
118, 124, 126, 127.
St. Peter's Church, Duck Creek, in, 112.
St. Peter's Church, Sussex, 109, no, in, 112, 113,
116.
Stubbs, Rev. Mr. Letter to, 3, 4.
Sturgeon, Rev. William, 95, no.
Suffragan Bishop. Proposal for the support of, 49,
50.
Sureties (God-parents), i, 3.
Surplice stolen, 75.
Sussex County. Application of people of, 2, 4 ;
growth of Church in, 54, 55 ; journal of Rev.
Mr. Ross's visit to, 32-35 ; referred to, 43, 98,
100, 138.
Talbot, Rev. John, referred to, 4, 16.
Thomson, Rev. Thomas, loi.
Tindall, referred to, 64.
Tingley, Rev. Samuel, 127 ; letter of, 134-139.
Tobacco. Payment of stipend in, 65.
Tonge, William, vestryman, 26, 45.
Travelling in Delaware, 46.
Treating with liquor at elections, 102, 103.
Trenton, N. J., 74, 81, 82.
Trent, William, 45.
Trinity Church, New York, 115, 119.
Trinity Church, Oxford, Pa., 13, 14, 20.
Tythes. Fear of, 77.
University of Glasgow, reference to, 73.
Universalists, 85.
Upland in Chester, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16.
Ussher, Rev. Arthur. Letters of, 77, 88, 100; re-
ferred to, 92, 95, 97, 98.
Vanderhyden, Matthias, 45.
Van Gesel, 45.
Vaughan, Rev. Edward, 80.
Vestry called, 79 ; house built, 80, 81.
Vining, Chief Justice John, 126, 127.
Welton, Dr. Robert (non juring Bishop), 49.
Welch Tract, the, in New Castle Co., 11.
Welsh Anabaptists at New Castle, 46.
Weyman, Rev. Mr., 68, 80, 81.
Whigs. Principles of, 139.
White Clay Creek Parish, New Castle. Address ot,
to the Society, 52, 53 ; referred to, 56, 66, 70, 74,
82, 104.
Whitefield, Rev. Geo. Preaching of, 81, 82, 83, 84 ;
followers of, 84, 85, 86.
Wilson, Rev. Hugh. Death of, 122 ; referred to,
124.
Wood, Joseph, vestryman, 26, 44, 45.
Woolston, referred to, 64.
Yates, Jasper, 7, 44, 45.
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